Temporary road closures in Earlestown town centre as regeneration works reach next phase

Article date: 19 May 2026

The essential highway improvement works will see the installation of new accessible pedestrian crossing points, traffic calming initiatives, improved pavement surfaces and high-quality street finishes and upgraded street furniture, signage, lighting and landscaping.

The first phase of works will take place along Queen Street from its junction with Railway Street to its junction with Earle Street/Bridge Steet. Works are scheduled to commence on Monday 1 June 2026 and will take place Monday-Friday between 8:00am and 5:00pm.

A wider programme of phased highway improvement works will be undertaken between now and Spring 2027 and, prior to the commencement of each phase, further correspondence will be issued to affected residents and businesses, providing detailed information on the planned future works.

A traffic management plan has been carefully designed to keep disruption to a minimum, with access for service and delivery vehicles to local businesses being maintained throughout alongside clear diversion routes for other motorists.

The works are being delivered by the Eric Wright Group, the main contractor appointed by St Helens Borough Council and ECF - a partnership between Homes England, L&G and Muse.

A spokesperson for St Helens Borough Council said: "While we recognise that temporary road closures on Railway Street and Queen Street will cause some inconvenience, we want to reassure residents, businesses and visitors that we are working closely with the Eric Wright Group to keep disruption to a minimum and maintain access wherever possible. We will also continue to keep the local community informed of works progression and future planned phases of activity.

"Once completed, the high-quality public realm will encourage people to visit and spend time in Earlestown, creating vibrant high streets that support local business for decades into the future."

The Earlestown Regeneration programme will see Earlestown's historic Market Square enhanced into a high-quality, flexible public space designed to support the town for generations to come. A new permanent canopy, inspired by the nine arches of the Sankey Viaduct, will provide sheltered trading areas while also creating a venue that can host a wide variety of public events year-round. The wider town centre will undergo major public realm and highway improvements.

Elsewhere as part of the project, HH Smith & Sons continue works at the Grade II listed Earlestown Town Hall, as the main contractor for the extension and complete internal refurbishment of the much-loved historic landmark site.

The projects are part of a 20-year regeneration plan being delivered by ECF in partnership with St Helens Borough Council, creating successful and sustainable town centres in Earlestown and St Helens backed by £20m from the Government's Levelling Up Fund and £8m match funding from the council.