Why is Switch Island so dangerous?

[ThatsNotMyGolem]

I'm hoping this will catch the eye of MNers who use this junction or know of it.

Accidents happen so often there, and I can't work out why. People say it's because it's the end of two motorways, crossing several roads, but there are loads of sets of traffic lights and lane markings.

Do people regularly skip the lights? Would someone be able to draw me a diagram of which parts are the dangerous ones?

Sorry for such a niche (and possibly naïve) thread!

I think you've answered your own question really. That road split where you choose M57 or M58 baffles some people. I've had folk cut me up many a time because they wanted the M58 but got in the A59 lane. The markings were very poor for years too; crappy cats-eyes and faded paint. I think driving standards have dropped a bit over the last few years. Lockdown must have impacted a lot of people who needed to keep driving to keep up their skills and observational powers.

I don’t get it either. The only way I could see crashes happening are running through red lights or speeding and changing your mind on lanes last minutes? The traffic was horrendus there today. But I hope the people involved in the accident are all ok.

I've used this junction a few times and it's a case of making sure you are in the correct lane and then head into the correct lane when you go through the lights (I think, it's been about 5 years since I last used it) it's on the traffic news virtually every day with accidents/severe delays

I don't find it a difficult junction but i do know some people refuse to use it.

It has been improved massively and the markings that light up are very helpful but I agree with the poster that the lanes need to be clearer as you approach the A59/M58 split from Maghull. As someone who knows it well, I tend to be aware that someone could easily be in the wrong lane and I am prepared for a sudden change of direction.

I have no idea any more but I grew up in Lydiate and so I love seeing someone talking about Switch Island

I always get confused as to what lane I should be in. I don’t think the road signs are particularly clear.

@MirandaWest

I have no idea any more but I grew up in Lydiate and so I love seeing someone talking about Switch Island

I was hoping some MNers would know it!

My uncle is from Lydiate

I'm in Liverpool now but grew up in Ormskirk, so Switch Island is a big part of getting around.

I'm from Waterloo and work up that way. My husband commutes through the area daily. Sadly, it seems like terrible accidents are becoming much more frequent there.

@Flexitarian

I always get confused as to what lane I should be in. I don’t think the road signs are particularly clear.

Our sat nav doesn't help with this, as she tells us to stay right and keep left at the same time when we're going across from Southport direction to the M57. We know now what the instruction means, but that kind of thing could cause somebody else to drive erratically.

I think the road markings really aren't great either.

We don't tend to go that way too much really. I don't think my nerves could take it to drive it too often!

I live nearby and it’s ok if you’re familiar with it. So many accidents there though

I hate switch island and l will always try to find another way. I do think it is a lot to do with road markings and as people have mentioned the two motorways.

Yes! The sat nav sends you all over the place. If I’m driving from Ormskirk to Liverpool it seems to tell me different things at the same time

If we're actually going into Liverpool, we still go through Crosby etc, as it's much quieter since the bypass opened. We only use Switch Island if we're going to Aintree or Speke Hall, somewhere like that.

I avoid it like the plague it makes no sense and people are going everywhere.

At one point the signs for the lanes coming off the m58 were incorrect so if you relied on those you'd need to change lanes very late on. I've no idea if they're right now because I don't look at them.

Coming from Dunningsbridge Road I think it's unclear which lanes are for which route so you get hgvs joining the m58 in the right lane and people undertaking them on the left. Not to mention the amount of times I've been cut up by people realising they're joining the wrong motorway. You need your wits about you for switch island.

I use it daily, if you know your lane and are sensible with lights it's fine, if I didn't know the area I'd do it once and never again!
I think a lot of the traffic build up is hgv's blocking the lanes when going towards the docks, so folks going towards Southport can't get over, causing the 57 to back up quickly.
The new brooms cross road has been a godsend though, I love it