Showdown due over accident blackspot

Coun Paul Galley believes it is only a matter of time before there is a serious smash at the junction of Anchorsholme Lane and Fleetwood Road in his ward.

The Anchorsholme councillor is ready to concerns over the junction last month following two accidents in the space of four days last month.

Now, following conversations with Blackpool’s road chiefs, he’s calling on residents to suggest how to make the junction, which includes a tramway crossing, safer.

Coun Galley said: “I think the problem is clear for all to see.

“The number of accidents at this junction, where northbound traffic has to cross the tramway and two lanes of traffic to head into Anchorsholme.

“If something isn’t done it’s only a matter of time before someone is seriously hurt.

“I had a meeting with the Highways team on Friday and hopefully something can be done.”

Coun Galley believes one of the main causes of collisions is the lack of a gap for traffic to cross the southbound lanes of Fleetwood Road.

And having seen similar views expressed on a popular social media network, he decided to ask members of a local group their views.

Coun Galley has been impressed by many of the ideas, which have included options for an extra filter arrow at the traffic lights.

He said: “I know they talk about the area a lot on this particular forum so I thought I would throw it open to debate.

“You could say it’s a direct form of local Government.

“If you have a way of asking the people, why not use it.

“Some of the suggestions have been really good.

“They are definitely the kind of suggestions which I will take forward to the Highways team.”

The majority of the suggestions were to change the traffic lights sequence.

One poster said: There isn’t a problem at the junction coming from the Promenade or Anchorsholme Lane East.

“The problem is traffic turning right coming from the Esso garage and traffic going straight ahead from Cleveleys.

“Just stop the traffic coming from Cleveleys for an extra 20 seconds and I am sure that would resolve it.”

Other ideas included closing the tramway crossing completely and putting in new parking restrictions.

Coun Galley’s meeting was due to take place on Friday but will now be held this week instead.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the debate can join the Thornton Cleveleys Chat group on Facebook where Coun Galley has created a thread.

The group can be found at https://www.facebook.com/groups/TCPchat/