A KEY part of a multi-million pound scheme to deliver highways improvements around Omega has been backed.

The Omega local highway phase three project includes a range of work at key junctions around the site.

The council previously agreed to take on the delivery of phase three subject to a payment of £8.2 million from Omega Warrington Ltd, which was received in December.

Phase 3a comprised the continuation of the southbound widening of Burtonwood Road between Kingswood Road and the Whittle Avenue/Westbrook Way roundabout, while phase 3b will focus on the roundabout junction of Lingley Green Avenue/Whittle Avenue.

During Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting, members agreed for the council to enter into a construction contract for the phase 3b work, with the details discussed in part two in private.

The authority says the overall scheme is planned to support more than 1,500 new homes in the area over the next five years.

It also aims to support more than 12,000 new jobs at Omega, as well as 7,000 existing jobs on Omega and Lingley Mere.

In his report, Cllr Hans Mundry, Cabinet member for transportation, highways and public realm, confirmed the budget for the latest phase totals £1,999,000 and includes a £310,000 ‘risk allowance’.

It will come from the overall £8.2 million budget.

Cllr Judith Guthrie, portfolio holder for environment and public protection, put a question to Cllr Mundry during Tuesday’s meeting.

She said: “One of the things I was looking at was the cycleways that were planned – are they going to join up with the cycleways that are already in place?”

Cllr Mundry told her ‘linking up’ will take place where it ‘is possible’.

He added: “They are not just cycleways, they are walkways and cycleways.

“Hopefully, at some time in the future we are going to get a better transport system that we have got in the present.

“In the meantime, we can put these in so people can walk or cycle to work, they don’t need to use their car, and it improves the environment.”

Officers are currently working up proposals for subsequent phases, which will be the subject of future reports to the Cabinet.