M62 Tarbock Island Works Enter Final Construction Phases, Liverpool 2026

Key Points

• Construction work is taking place on Tarbock Island improvement project near Junction 6 on the M62.
• This project will enhance the capacity, widen the roundabout and improve traffic flows and travel times.
• M57 southbound exit slip road will be closed until January 2027 to the traffic from Prescot and Kirkby.
• M62 Junction 6 eastbound exit slip road will be closed until January 2027 to the traffic from Liverpool.
• North-west part of Tarbock Island will be working with one lane until the end of August 2026.
• Windy Arbour Road is due to be closed overnight between 3 and 5 August for the works on traffic signals.
• Tarbock Roundabout will have some sections closed overnight between 8 and 10 August for removing the concrete blocks to create an extra lane.
• The eastbound carriageway of Cronton Road will be closed between 17 and 22 August for lighting, signing and footway construction works.
• It is advisable for drivers to allow additional time, to follow signs and to look for further information as the dates of construction may change.
• The whole project will be finished in winter 2026.

Liverpool Live Traffic & Travel (Liverpool standard) August 7, 2026 — A series of road closures, lane restrictions and diversions are continuing at Tarbock Island as the improvement scheme at Junction 6 of the M62 enters another busy phase of construction. The latest programme includes overnight closures of Windy Arbour Road and parts of Tarbock Roundabout, followed by a daytime closure affecting Cronton Road later in August.

The works are part of a major investment programme intended to improve the movement of traffic through one of the Liverpool City Region’s important road connections. According to Knowsley News, the scheme will create additional capacity by increasing the number of lanes on approaches to the roundabout and widening the roundabout itself.

The authority has warned that some disruption is unavoidable while the construction is carried out. Drivers using the M62, M57, Knowsley Expressway and nearby local roads are being advised to plan journeys in advance, allow additional time and use alternative routes where possible.

What works are taking place at Tarbock Island?

The current construction programme affects several approaches to Tarbock Island, including the M57 southbound exit slip road, the M62 Junction 6 eastbound exit slip road and lanes around the roundabout.

The M57 southbound exit slip road, used by traffic approaching Tarbock Island from the direction of uk/local/prescot/">Prescot and Kirkby, is completely closed until January 2027. Knowsley News said the closure is intended to help manage congestion while work takes place on the western side of the roundabout.

Traffic affected by the M57 closure is being directed to continue along the M57 to the Knowsley Expressway, also known as the A5300, before returning to Tarbock Island. Drivers are expected to follow the signed diversion rather than attempt to access the closed slip road.

The M62 Junction 6 eastbound exit slip road is also completely closed. This is the route used by traffic travelling from Liverpool towards Tarbock Island. The official diversion directs motorists to M62 Junction 7 before returning to Tarbock Island through the M62 Junction 7 westbound entry slip road and the westbound carriageway.

A single lane is also in operation on the north-west side of the roundabout, between the M62 Junction 6 eastbound exit slip road and the M57 Junction 1 southbound exit slip road. Knowsley News said this restriction is scheduled to remain in place until the end of August 2026.

The south-west side of the roundabout has also been subject to lane closures during the construction period. The restricted section runs from the A5300 Knowsley Expressway southbound entry slip road to the westbound M62 entry slip road towards Liverpool.

Under the traffic arrangement described by Knowsley News, vehicles leaving the A5300 Knowsley Expressway and joining Tarbock Island can use only the left-hand lane to travel towards Liverpool on the M62. Vehicles intending to use another exit from the roundabout must use the right-hand lane. The lane destinations are signposted for motorists.

When will Windy Arbour Road close?

Windy Arbour Road is scheduled for an overnight closure from 3 to 5 August. The northbound carriageway, used by vehicles leaving Tarbock Island towards Whiston and travelling up to Juniper Avenue, is affected.

The closure is required for traffic signal works and is scheduled to operate between 8pm and 5am. A diversion is planned through Cronton Road and Tarbock Road towards Junction 2 of the M57 before returning to Windy Arbour Road.

The overnight timing is intended to allow the work to take place while traffic levels are lower. However, drivers making journeys during the affected hours may still face delays, particularly if they are unfamiliar with the diversion route or if other restrictions are operating around Tarbock Island.

The published programme states that the dates are subject to change. Motorists should therefore check the latest information before travelling, especially when a journey depends on Windy Arbour Road or the nearby local-road network.

What will happen during the roundabout closures?

Sections of Tarbock Roundabout are scheduled to close overnight from 8 to 10 August. The closures are planned between 8pm and 5am to support the removal of concrete blocks and allow an additional lane to open on the south-east and south-west sides of the roundabout.

The overnight restrictions will affect more than the roundabout itself. Knowsley News said the M62 westbound exit slip road, used by traffic leaving the M62 from the direction of Manchester, will be closed during the works. The M62 westbound entry slip road, used by vehicles leaving Tarbock Island towards Liverpool, will also be closed.

The A5300 Knowsley Expressway northbound exit slip road will be closed as well. This is the route used by traffic leaving the expressway to join Tarbock Island from the direction of Halewood and Speke. Diversions will be provided and clearly signed, according to the published works information.

The closures are linked to the removal of temporary traffic-management equipment and the opening of extra road space. They do not represent a permanent closure of the affected routes. Once the overnight work is completed, the traffic arrangements are expected to change as the next phase of the scheme proceeds.

Why is Cronton Road closing in August?

The eastbound carriageway of Cronton Road is scheduled to close from 17 to 22 August. The affected direction is for traffic leaving Tarbock Island towards Cronton Village.

The closure is intended to allow contractors to complete lighting, signage and footway construction. The works are scheduled to take place between 9.30am and 3.30pm, with a diversion in place for traffic using the road during those hours.

Unlike the overnight restrictions on Windy Arbour Road and Tarbock Roundabout, the Cronton Road closure is planned during daytime hours. This means that drivers travelling towards Cronton Village may need to allow for a longer journey during the stated working period.

The published notice does not provide a detailed description of the diversion route for Cronton Road. Drivers should follow temporary signs and traffic-management instructions when the closure is in operation.

How long will the full scheme continue?

The Tarbock Island improvement scheme consists of several phases rather than one single closure. Some restrictions are expected to continue into 2027, while other lane restrictions and construction activities are due to finish during 2026.

The M57 southbound exit slip road and the M62 Junction 6 eastbound exit slip road are both listed as being closed until January 2027. The current information also states that the north-west side of the roundabout will remain reduced to a single lane until the end of August 2026.

The scheme’s final anticipated completion date is winter 2026, although the published information warns that dates may be subject to change. Knowsley News said further phases of work are included in the overall programme and that regular updates will be provided.

The Liverpool Echo previously reported that the improvement project had been ongoing since 2024. Earlier coverage also described the work as a significant programme aimed at improving traffic flow and journey times at the junction.

BBC News reported in October 2025 that the project was expected to last until winter 2026 and described the scheme as a two-year renovation programme. Its report stated that the work formed part of a £10 million initiative to improve connectivity and traffic flow at Tarbock Island.

A previous report by the St Helens Star likewise stated that the works were intended to improve traffic flow and journey times at the busy M62 Junction 6 connection.

What should drivers do during the works?

Drivers approaching Tarbock Island should check the route they intend to use before setting off because different slip roads and approaches are affected at different times.

Motorists travelling from Prescot or Kirkby should account for the continued closure of the M57 southbound exit slip road. The signed route via the M57 and A5300 will add distance to journeys before vehicles return to Tarbock Island.

Those travelling from Liverpool should note that the M62 Junction 6 eastbound exit slip road remains closed. The official diversion takes traffic to Junction 7 before directing vehicles back towards Tarbock Island via the westbound carriageway.

Drivers leaving the A5300 should pay particular attention to lane signs because the available lanes have different destinations. The left-hand lane is designated for vehicles joining the M62 towards Liverpool, while the right-hand lane is for traffic intending to take another exit from the roundabout.

During the overnight closures, drivers should expect temporary diversions around the roundabout and nearby slip roads. Emergency access arrangements are not detailed in the available notice, so motorists should comply with instructions from traffic-management staff and avoid entering closed sections.

Why is the Tarbock Island scheme being carried out?

The main purpose of the development is to address limited capacity at Tarbock Island and improve the way traffic moves between the M62, M57, A5300 and local roads.

Knowsley News said the scheme will increase the number of lanes on approaches to the roundabout and widen the roundabout. The stated objectives are to create additional capacity and reduce journey times once the works are complete.

The junction forms part of the Liverpool City Region’s road infrastructure network and carries traffic between motorway, expressway and local-road routes. Because the works affect several connecting roads, the construction programme requires closures and temporary lane reductions while new road space, lighting, signage and footway infrastructure are installed.

The current disruption is therefore linked to the construction process rather than a permanent change to the road layout. The final effect on traffic will depend on the completed design, the opening of additional lanes and how motorists use the junction after the temporary restrictions are removed.

What is the background to the development?

The Tarbock Island improvement scheme is a multi-phase project at Junction 6 of the M62 in Knowsley. It is intended to improve capacity and journey times at the roundabout by widening parts of the junction and adding lanes on its approaches.

The project has been under construction since 2024, according to earlier Liverpool Echo coverage. BBC News reported that the wider programme was expected to continue through winter 2026 and valued the initiative at £10 million.bbc+1

The works have required successive closures on the M62 and M57 slip roads, restrictions on the roundabout and temporary diversions through the surrounding road network. The official programme states that further phases remain and that work dates may change as construction progresses.

How could the development affect local drivers?

For local drivers, the immediate effect is likely to be longer or less predictable journeys while the remaining closures and lane restrictions are in place. People travelling between Liverpool, Manchester, Prescot, Kirkby, Halewood, Speke, Whiston and Cronton may need to use signed diversion routes or leave earlier than usual.

Once the scheme is completed, the additional lanes and widened roundabout are intended to provide more capacity at Tarbock Island. The stated aim is to improve traffic flow and reduce journey times, although the scale of any improvement will only be clear after the new layout is fully operational and traffic patterns settle.

Businesses and employees that depend on regular access through the junction may continue to experience disruption during the final construction phases. Deliveries, commuting and local travel could be affected by the overnight closures in August and the Cronton Road closure from 17 to 22 August.

The most significant short-term issue for motorway users will remain the prolonged closure of the M57 southbound and M62 Junction 6 eastbound exit slip roads. Subject to the published programme and any changes to the construction schedule, these restrictions are expected to continue until January 2027, while the complete scheme is anticipated to finish in winter 2026.