Press release

Work begins on £1.3 million improvements at A585 Windy Harbour

A major scheme to improve the A585 crossroads at Garstang New Road, Fleetwood Road and Windy Harbour near Blackpool will begin on Monday 10 November.

The scheme will involve the realignment and widening of the existing crossroads to create extra lanes through the junction. Included are improvements to the pedestrian routes, the addition of cycle facilities and the upgrading of the traffic controllers.

The improvements will reduce congestion at the busy junction, and improve safety.

Work will affect the A585 in both directions, and will take place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week excluding bank holidays.

There will be a compulsory 30mph speed limit along a mile of the A585 and a short section of the A586, with temporary traffic signals.

As United Utilities are working on Mains Lane, no daytime closures will take place until January. Work is expected to be completed in March.

Highways Agency Project manager Peter Gee said;

This is a major scheme which is designed to have a significant long-term benefit for both the local and regional economy. It will improve safety and reduce congestion at busy periods.

There will inevitably be some disruption while this work takes place but we’re doing everything we can to keep this to a minimum, including delaying lane closures until adjacent works by United Utilities are completed.

We ask drivers to be patient while work is underway, and to observe the speed limits for the safety of our road workers.

The project is one of 123 in the Government’s £317 million ‘pinch-point’ initiative – a two year programme of targeted works being delivered alongside larger schemes and routine maintenance and improvements along the strategic road network.

The pinch-point programme, devised with the input of councils and local enterprise partnerships, is designed to help stimulate new development and local economic growth by improving road safety and tackling congestion bottle necks. In all, 28 projects, worth £66 million, are being delivered across the North West.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways Agency Information Line on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways Agency press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

Published 27 October 2014