Sponsored by
Concerns over new Prom attraction
AMBITIOUS plans to redevelop Blackpool's world-famous Promenade must not put lives at risk, lifeboat chiefs have warned.
The RNLI has raised concerns that emergency response times could be slowed now the 2m scheme to put giant seesaws on the seafront close to the lifeboat house has been agreed by councillors.
Regeneration chiefs have revised their proposals in a bid to enable lifeboat crews to reach their launch site as quickly as possible.
Two giant, 39ft long seesaws will be built on the Promenade, between Adelaide Street and Brunswick Street and known as Parade 5.
They have been designed so the whole family can fit onboard.
There will also be giant pebble seats and 100ft tall swaying dune grass structures.
Changes also include a new wall to separate the tramway from the Promenade so sand does not blow on to the tracks.
The only vehicular access to the Prom which can be used by crews needing to reach the RNLI's boathouse, will be opposite Central Pier and just south of the Tower.
But regeneration company ReBlackpool has agreed to provide a refuge bay between the Prom and the tram tracks for use by emergency workers.
Chairman of Blackpool RNLI Ian Butter said: "It will be fine for crews to use the new access points in winter but what we are concerned about is when the Prom is packed in the summer. Our crew members don't have blue flashing lights to help them clear the way.
"We are dealing with people over the sea wall with maybe minutes to live so we have to put life-saving before landscaping. However ReBlackpool has done what it can to accommodate us.
"We will have to wait to see how it affects us."
Lee Burrell, from ReBlackpool, told the council's development control committee, providing a safe passage for emergency vehicles needing access to the Promenade had been taken into account.
He added that a 74 metre refuge for emergency vehicles had now been created as well as a 21 metre operational exclusion zone around the lifeboat house.
The scheme will also see the removal of the footbridge, which spans the Promenade by the Palatine Building just south of the Tower.
It is the latest stage of the 70m project to bring the Promenade into the 21st century.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Blackpool
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
