CYCLOPS junction to open to traffic on Monday

Article date: 1 September 2023

Replacing the roundabout by the Bull & Dog pub on Marshalls Cross Road which previously had no safe crossing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists, the CYCLOPS forms an integral part of the St Helens Southern Gateway to help make sustainable travel an easier choice for commuters who use Lea Green Railway Station, one of the borough's busiest stations.

An award-winning design layout being implemented in more and more cities and towns across the country - CYCLOPS prioritises the safety of pedestrians and cyclists by segregating them from motorists, reducing risk of collision and improving journey times for all road users.   

Traffic and crossing signals will be switched on at midday on Monday 4 September, with marshals on site to assist pedestrians and cyclists.

Due to recent wet weather, the finishing touches are being made to the cycling side of the scheme which is expected to be completed by Monday 11 September, with minor works like landscaping still to be carried out subsequently that don't require traffic management.  

How does CYCLOPS work? 

The outer 'ring' of the junction - coloured green - is a cycle path, acting like a roundabout with signal-controlled crossings. This will allow those who cycle to cross over the junction or make right turns unrestricted by cars or foot traffic, creating a safe route to travel. 

The inner 'ring' of the junction - coloured red - is dedicated to pedestrians, with those walking and cycling getting the same green light signal in all directions at the same time, but on a separate ring of paths in the middle of the junction. 

There are well-defined zebra crossings on each side of the junction to provide a safe place to cross the cycle lane for pedestrians. 

All motorised traffic stops at the lights whilst cyclists and pedestrians have their green light signal. 

Once pedestrians and cyclists have passed, motorised traffic will get the green light signal to continue driving and use the junction like normal. 

Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron, St Helens Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Strategic Transport, said:    

"The CYCLOPS has, without doubt, been the most significant junction improvement scheme we have carried out in recent years which has required extensive temporary traffic management arrangements and I, like many others, am glad to see the junction open to traffic and pedestrians, including pupils from nearby schools who will benefit from safe crossing infrastructure which was not in place here before.

"There have been a lot of misconceptions about CYLCOPS but for motorists it's just like a normal signalised junction but prioritises the safety of pedestrians and cyclists by segregating them from vehicles, reducing risk of collision and improving journey times for all road users. Those on foot are even able to get to where they need to be in just a few steps, meaning motorists don't need to sit in traffic for as long, so a win all around. 

"Our vision is to be a leading highway authority, creating a well-connected, accessible transport network that supports economic growth and the innovative St Helens Southern Gateway scheme is a key example of that commitment, helping us with our decarbonisation commitments and supports our recently adopted road safety strategy to ensure our highway network is safe and accessible for all."   

Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: 

"Walking and cycling are an integral part of my vision for a London-style transport system. As Mayor, I'm investing almost £70m in active travel across the region to help give people a proper alternative to the car. This CYCLOPS junction, the first of its kind in the region, will make it safer and quicker for people to get about. 

"For far too long, too many people in our region have been forced to contend with a fragmented, under-funded public transport system that simply doesn't work for them. Thanks to devolution, we're working to change that by putting the 'public' back into public transport. 

"Our residents deserve a faster, cheaper, greener, and more reliable transport network that not only works for them, but for our planet too.

"I want to make it easier than ever for our residents to get from A to B by building better connected, greener routes, that offer a genuine alternative to the car. I want to start an active travel revolution, making it easier than ever for people to choose cleaner ways to get about. 

"Because if we are serious about playing our part in tackling the climate crisis, then we have to do all that we can to reach our target to be net zero by 2040 at the latest - and we can only get there by encouraging more people to leave their car at home for shorter journeys." 

For more information, visit: www.sthelens.gov.uk.cyclops