The next steps in a multi-million pound scheme to upgrade one of Northwich’s busiest roundabouts have been unveiled.

Cheshire West and Chester Council has completed a review of proposals to improve Leicester Street roundabout and has announced that work will begin later this year.

In December 2014 the authority withdrew a Side Roads Order for the proposed scheme in order to consider an alternative scheme put forward by objectors.

Following a thorough review, it has been determined that the alternative layout would not be viable due to cost and technical issues.

The council has amended its original proposals and will now work with traders to further reduce any impact from the scheme, which does not now require a Side Roads Order.

Cllr Brian Clarke, Cabinet member for economic development and infrastructure, said: “Our officers carried out a detailed assessment of the alternative proposals but the significantly increased costs and technical issues associated with implementing this scheme meant it was not viable.

“We have taken the opportunity to review our own scheme to identify how we can address areas of concern to local traders, in particular, the access and parking arrangements to the central parking area and for properties on Station Road.

“We are confident that our proposals provide an effective, safe and robust scheme which is good value for money and will significantly improve the traffic flow.

“We will continue to work closely with local traders and residents as we move towards starting work. We expect utility diversion works to get underway later in the summer ahead and the main contract works to start later in the year.”

Financed with £3.4m of Government ‘pinch point’ funding, the scheme will increase the size of the roundabout to cope with future levels of traffic and provide much-needed pedestrian crossing facilities.

Traffic signals will be installed to improve safety for motorists and cyclists and additional parking will be provided nearby to support local businesses.

In 2013 the council carried out extensive public consultation into its proposals to increase the capacity of the roundabout to ensure the road infrastructure can support the widespread regeneration under way in Northwich.

Cllr Paul Dolan said: “Improvements to Leicester Street roundabout are vital to ensure that the town can cope with the extra traffic generated by new retail and leisure developments such as Barons Quay, Memorial Court and the Lion Salt Works, and for pedestrians and cyclists to continue to safely navigate the roads.

“We appreciate that some local businesses may have concerns but we will be working with individual traders to minimise any disruption, and will be keeping them informed as the scheme progresses.”