Steve Prescott Bridge to receive a clean

Article date: 9 August 2024

Starting Monday 12 August, works are scheduled to take place over the next four-weeks and will include cleaning the arches, repainting the parapets, repairs to the pedestrian guardrail - as well as gully cleansing along the A58.

Meanwhile, in around ten-weeks' time, the memorial at the end of the bridge at Vera Page Park, depicting former Saints fullback Steve Prescott MBE celebrating his unforgettable second try in the 1996 Challenge Cup Final with his inspiring motto 'what the mind believes, the body achieves' - will be replaced with another due to fading over the years.

Welcoming the refurbishment, St Helens Borough Council Leader, Anthony Burns, said: "The Steve Prescott Bridge is used by thousands of people a year, whether it's crossing on the way to cheer on the mighty Saints or used as a meeting point to mark a certain anniversary or awareness day - so it's only right that it looks its best in memory of a great man and ambassador for our borough."

Councillor Seve Gomez-Aspron, Deputy Leader of St Helens Borough Council and Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, said: "The council continues to do all it can to make sure our road network is maintained to a high standard, and that includes the maintenance of infrastructure like the iconic Steve Prescott Bridge which has established itself as fine borough landmark.

"We know how much the bridge is loved by the people who use it - that's why it's so important that it stays in the best possible condition."

Linzi Prescott of the Steve Prescott Foundation said: "On behalf of our family, I would like to express our gratitude to St Helens Borough Council for their commitment in maintaining the Steve Prescott Bridge and for the forthcoming permanent memorial that will be in place by autumn. The efforts not only preserve his memory but also honour the enduring legacy he left behind.

"Stephen's spirit lives on in every step taken across the bridge, and we are deeply touched by the support to keep his story alive for future generations. We are very grateful for this lasting tribute to his life and achievements."

To facilitate the works, both carriageways on Linkway East will be closed to traffic between 8:00pm and 6:00am, Monday to Friday - avoiding Saints match fixtures - with clear diversions in place for motorists. The bridge will remain open to pedestrians during the works.

Formerly known as Saints Way, the bridge, which links St Helens town centre to the Totally Wicked Stadium - home of St Helens R.F.C. - was officially renamed Steve Prescott Bridge in 2014 in honour of one of the club's greatest players who sadly passed away in November 2013 after battling a rare form of abdomen cancer.