As major regeneration works continue in Earlestown, different traffic management measures will be put into place from next month (August), affecting first Market Street and then Tamworth Street.
This is to allow essential external works, including the installation of lightning protection equipment, to be carried out as the restoration of Earlestown Town Hall nears its conclusion.
The first phase of works will take place along Market Street and is scheduled to commence at 7am on Monday 3 August 2026, with completion anticipated for Monday 10 August. During this time, on-street parking bays adjacent to the works on Market Street will be out of use.
Following the completion of phase one, works will move to Tamworth Street and are scheduled to commence at 7am on Monday 10 August, with completion anticipated on Thursday 13 August. Temporary lights will be in place.
The council says its traffic management plan has been carefully designed to keep disruption to a minimum, and that access for service and delivery vehicles to local businesses will be maintained “wherever possible”.
We know that the Earlestown traders are really experiencing the impact of the ongoing roadworks on footfall in the town – and it looks like these few weeks in August will bring new challenges for town centre businesses.
And whilst it’s great news that the end is now in sight for the restoration of our lovely Town Hall – which should be complete by the end of Summer – it’s not the end of all the works in the town centre, which are expected to last until early next year.
At the end of it all, we should have a revitalised new town centre, with a new outdoor market and entertainment space with covered canopy and a restored and reopened Earlestown Town Hall, with performance and events spaces, public spaces, and a new courtyard garden with café and public toilets.
But it’s essential that we keep supporting our local traders through the regeneration works – they need your custom now more than ever to ensure they still have sustainable businesses once the works are complete! There are so many brilliant independent businesses in Earlestown, which make it well worth the travelling (even if you do sit in traffic for a short while). Read more about some of those brilliant local businesses here.
Cllr Jack Benyon, Portfolio Holder for Regeneration, Property and Planning at St Helens Borough Council said: “We recognise that temporary traffic management measures on Market Street and Tamworth Street will cause some disruption and, alongside HH Smiths & Sons [the main contractor], we are working hard to minimise any impact for residents, businesses and visitors wherever possible.
“This is a vital stage in the restoration of the much-loved Earlestown Town Hall that once completed, will once again be the heart of the town as a vibrant community hub that can be enjoyed by residents and visitors alike for generations to come.”
The works are being delivered by the HH Smith & Sons Ltd on behalf of St Helens Borough Council and ECF – a partnership between Homes England, Legal & General and Muse.
The restoration of Earlestown Town Hall is part of the Earlestown regeneration programme, which is backed by £20m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund and £8m match funding from St Helens Borough Council.