A MAJOR scheme aimed at solving the problems of resurfacing on the northbound carriageway of the M53 Bidston Moss flyover starting on Monday.

The Highways Agency has called in expert advice from the Transport Research Laboratory in a bid to literally make the surface stick once and for all.

Highways Agency Project Manager Paul Hupton said: "Bidston Moss flyover has been a thorn in our side for some time. Previous attempts at resurfacing has been short-lived but with the help of the Transport Research Laboratory, whose experts have helped draw up the scheme and will maintain a watching brief during the work, we hope to get it right this time.

"The problem has been that although the viaduct met the construction standards of its time when it was built 30 years ago, it cannot deal with modern traffic volumes. That has meant that the pounding traffic has broken up previous resurfacing with all the potential danger to motorists that brings."

He explained that the rigid style of construction and thin road surface was at the heart of the problem.

A £699,000 contract has been awarded to RMS Surfacing (UK) Ltd. The work is expected to take up to five weeks. The viaduct strengthening carried out last year to meet new EC standards is expected to benefit the resurfacing project.

The work has been timed to start during a period of as mild and rain-free weather as possible following the completion of the design work to ensure the best chance of success.

At the same time Wirral Council will carry out resurfacing work on the southbound slip road bridge at Junction 1. This will reduce the overall level of disruption that would have resulted from separate contracts.

During the works a tidal flow system will operate on the M53 during peak periods to minimise delays. In the morning peak two lanes will be available northbound into Liverpool. One of the lanes will direct traffic down to the roundabout at Junction 1 and back onto the motorway. The second lane will travel through the works. In the opposite direction, a single lane will carry traffic southbound towards Chester. During the evening peak the system will be reversed.

Mr Hupton added: "Safety for road users must be our top priority and we have to get the problem solved once and for all. This stretch of road has been closed a number of times in the last year for emergency repairs and we are doing our best to prevent this happening again."

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