Huge investment planned for St Helens Borough highway improvements
Proposals that would see more than £17 million ploughed into road improvements, one of St Helens Borough Council's largest investments in roads in a single year, have been put forward by councillors.
Article date: 19 February 2026
The council's Cabinet will be asked to approve the Highways Capital and Revenue Programme for 2026/27 which takes in funding to support a wide range of programmes and includes highways maintenance, active travel, drainage and flood mitigation, bridges and structures, street lighting, and strategic project development.
Councillor Kate Groucutt, Deputy Council Leader and Cabinet Member for Business and Inclusive Growth, said: "This level of investment, if approved, would build on the major successes delivered between 2022 and 2026, which brought in external investment and directed council capital and revenue money to improving travel for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists alike. This strong delivery record demonstrates the council's ongoing commitment to modernising and maintaining a safe, efficient and resilient transport network for residents, businesses and visitors."
The investment includes £7.02m from the Liverpool City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) to fund resurfacing, preventative maintenance, traffic signal and street lighting upgrades, and active travel improvements.
Meanwhile the council will invest £1.53m of capital into two strategic priorities: essential strengthening and safety works at Taylor Park Dam, and Town Centre Traffic Management Improvements to enhance safety and accessibility in high footfall areas. A further £4.909m of council revenue will support routine and reactive maintenance, winter service, street lighting and drainage operations.
Councillor Groucutt added: "This investment is essential to meeting the council's statutory duties, improving the condition and sustainability of the network and supporting economic growth. It ensures St Helens Borough continues to adopt evidence led asset management practices, aligns with our borough strategy and supports wider objectives relating to safety, regeneration, public health and climate resilience."
The strategy will be discussed at Cabinet on Wednesday, 25th February at 4pm. You can find out more about the strategy and watch the meeting online here: Agenda for Cabinet on Wednesday, 25th February, 2026, 4.00 pm St Helens Borough Council