Star News
Commuters endure two hour St Helens Linkway gridlock
10:59am Tuesday 7th February 2012
MOTORISTS travelling to work have been stuck in traffic for more than two hours this morning after St Helens Linkway became gridlocked near Rainhill Stoops.
The closure of A557 Watkinson Way – a major route into Widnes – for roadworks has led to serious congestion on roads including the M62 Eastbound, Knowsley Expressway, and St Helens Linkway, particularly at the Rainhill Stoops roundabout.
One commuter who set off to work shortly after 8am told the Star she is still stuck in traffic.
Others turned to Twitter to vent their frustration. Councillor Barrie Grunewald, the deputy leader of St Helens Council, tweeted: "Arrrrgh it’s taken 50 mins to go less than ½ mile on linkway."
He later added: "The exit on Rainhill Stoops M62 roundabout to Widnes is closed. Chaotic isn’t the word – 1hr to get less than ½ mile and not there yet."
Dave Lyon, founder of the Saints fans' website RedVee, wrote: "Someone thought it’d be a good idea to close off the Widnes exit on Rainhill Stoops M62 roundabout for three days...chaotic traffic!!!
Avoid!!"
Scott Moore, the ex Saints player, who is now with Widnes, wrote: "Traffic on 62 is a joke!!! Maybe we won’t be outside this morn after all."