Highways England’s Windy Harbour to Skippool improvement – which
will ease journeys along one of the busiest sections of the A585
between the M55 and Fleetwood – was approved by Transport
Secretary on 9 April after a planning
inspectorate examination last year.
Highways England’s senior project manager Jonathan Stokes said:
The new road and associated improvements will tackle existing
congestion, help secure and improve opportunities for housing
and jobs, and contribute to improved connections to the
motorway network.
While it will be several months before local people and other
road users will be able to see very much going on along the
route we’ll be producing a regular project newsletter to keep
people informed.
Although significant roadworks are several months away, key
preparation work has started – with construction workers
operating to government guidance related to the coronavirus
(COVID-19) outbreak. The work includes constructing a project
site office and continuing archaeological investigations along
the path of the 70mph dual carriageway new bypass south of Little
Singleton.
To mark the start of the work, the first project newsletter has
just been published and is being delivered to thousands of homes
across the area from today (Thursday 21 May). Future editions
will be published online on the project
webpage where anyone interested in the work can also
sign up for regular free email alerts. Anyone with questions can
email the project team at a585windyharbourtoskippool@highwaysengland.co.uk
The new road and improvements to the junctions at Windy Harbour
and Skippool are expected to take about three years. Work will
initially be undertaken away from the existing road before moving
on to reconfiguring the existing junction at Skippool and
creating new junctions at Skippool bridge and Garstang Road.
Finally, the existing route will be converted to a local road
with enhanced provision for walking and cycling.