A MAJOR construction project to redevelop the St Anne Street and St Oswald’s Way junction in Chester is underway.

Grant funding from Active Travel England has been awarded to improve the crossing facilities for walking, wheeling and cycling at the problem junction. New traffic signals will also improve the traffic flow through the junction.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is asking resident, businesses and other stakeholders for their feedback on the proposals, which include separate cycle and pedestrian crossings at the junction, new pedestrian crossings to the Bus Interchange and the widening of the existing cycle track from the junction with Victoria Road.

Plans for the improvements are available for view and comment on the Council’s website.  The plans will also be available to see at Northgate Arena.

The Active Travel England grant of £407,000 also includes commissioning ‘Living Streets’ to carry out an engagement project with two secondary schools and 12 primary schools in the borough and compile a list of potential schools for ‘School Streets’ projects, where roads are closed during specific drop-off and pick-up times to keep pupils safer.

The Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Highways, Councillor Karen Shore said: “Following discussions with Active Travel England, it is decided that the Council should put forward the construction of the junction upgrade at St Oswald’s Way and St Anne Street in Chester – this junction forms part of the Pink Route within Chester’s coloured cycle network.

“Our Road Safety Team has highlighted this junction as a concern due to the number of road traffic collisions. It provides an active travel connection to the rail station, Chester Bus Interchange and Chester city centre. The design for this scheme has started and is being developed by the Council’s Highway team.”

John Violet, Chester Cycling Campaign, said: “Chester Cycling Campaign is particularly pleased to hear that funding for the work has been granted since cyclists from the Greenway and surrounding area frequently use this crossing.

“The junction forms an important crossing of the Inner Ring Road for both cyclists and walkers but has needed improvement for many years.  Improving the quality of the infrastructure will undoubtably increase usage for Active Travel into the city centre.”

Construction is scheduled for completion by March 2025.