In late January 2026, Knowsley Council moved a major phase of the Tarbock Island improvement works into a high‑impact stage at the Tarbock Island roundabout near Kirkby, Merseyside. The 12‑month phase involves closures and lane reductions that will affect drivers in the area.
Knowsley Council say the M57 southbound exit slip road (coming onto Tarbock Island from Prescot/Kirkby) is closed and is scheduled to remain shut until January 2027. The M62 eastbound exit slip (approaching the roundabout from Liverpool) is due to remain closed until Spring 2027, and parts of the roundabout — notably the south‑west side — are reduced to a single lane until June 2026.
Motorists affected by the closures are being diverted to M62 Junction 7 (Rainhill Stoops) to return to Tarbock Island. Knowsley Council and local reporting warn that journeys between Kirkby and the Knowsley Expressway could increase by around 15–20 minutes during peak periods.
The scheme is supported by a £12.42 million grant from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Knowsley Council says the works will create additional capacity at the junction to cope with growing traffic demand, including traffic arising from the Halsnead Garden Village development, which has a masterplan for approximately 1,600 new homes.
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