Roadworks at M62 junction branded 'carnage'

Improvement work will take place over the next year

Residents have said living close to major roadworks at a key junction has been "absolute carnage".

Tarbock Island, off the M62 in Knowsley, has been undergoing a two-year upgrade as part of £10m investment to improve connectivity and flow of traffic.

After Knowsley Council posted on social media that part of the Tarbock Island roundabout would be reduced to a single lane until June 2026, it was inundated with comments by residents who criticised the speed of the works.

The council said the project was a part of a "significant investment programme" and would reduce journey times by increasing the number of lanes as well as widening the roundabout.

One resident responded to the update, saying: "They sent a man to the moon in less time than it's taken for the work to this roundabout to be finished."

Another said: "Absolute carnage today on the morning and home commute, sick of it."

Unavoidable delays

The speed of the work was also compared to the building of Rome, with one person saying the Italian capital was built faster, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Tarbock Island is described as one of the region's busiest transport routes, connecting Knowsley to Liverpool city centre and serving as a main access point to the M62.

The local authority said all possible steps were being taken to minimise disruption, but warned there would be some unavoidable delays to journeys.

Drivers have been advised to plan ahead, allow extra time for travel, or choose alternative routes where possible.

The entire scheme is set to be completed in the winter of 2026.