A561

Route

The A561 runs parallel to the north bank of the river Mersey, largely primary along its whole length.

Liverpool – Garston

The road begins on the A5040 Liver Street near the Albert Dock in Liverpool city centre and heads south via a mini-roundabout and a TOTSO to cross the A562 near Liverpool Marina. It heads south east through Toxteth (where the road zigzags left then right and becomes a dual carriageway) and Dingle. It [asses Sefton Park on the left and Otterspool by the river on the right, to reach Aigburth. It then continues on through Cressington to bypass Garston before turning slightly inland to keep Speke and the Liverpool John Lennon Airport to the south. The airport and Speke are accessed by unclassified dual carriageways off to the right.

Speke Road, Garston

The A561 then passes Halewood motor works before being met by the eastward A562 via a simple GSJ slip at left. The route continues as the A562 to Widnes and then A533 across the Silver Jubilee Bridge.

History

In the 1930s the A561 terminated in Garston, with the B5170 continuing the route to the A562, then at Hale Bank. The B5170 was severed by the building of Speke aerodrome during the Second World War and a new road built along the perimeter. The A561 follows this as far as the A5275 before striking off on its own.

Original Author(s): Lez Watson