£7m upgrade programme for key routes into town centre

Work is nearing completion on the first phase of the Blackpool town centre quality corridors programme.
This has seen highway and pavement improvements made to a stretch of Church Street between Leopold Grove and Regent Street.
The 12-week project, which began in January, has seen the road resurfaced, while unnecessary street clutter has been removed.
It also includes better seating for pedestrians and a taxi rank
Future phases will see improvements in Cookson Street, Dickson Road, Deansgate, Edward Street, Topping Street and Talbot Road.

The scheme is costing £7m in total, funded by a £6.6m grant from the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Deal and a £740,000 contribution by Blackpool Council.

It is part of a wider plan to promote economic growth in the resort.
As well as improving infrastructure, the quality corridors project will also work with local businesses and set up a grant scheme to help improve the look of shop fronts at the entrance to the town centre.

Coun Fred Jackson, cabinet member for highways, said: “The finishing touches are being put to Church Street, which will involve improving the pavements either side of the resurfaced road.
“The quality corridors project is improving the look of key entrance roads to the town centre to make sure that they can complement the other big regeneration projects taking place in the town like the tramway extension, the second phase of the business district and the Winter Gardens conference centre.
“As well as improving the road layout, they will also be some grant money available to improve the shop fronts of businesses on key entrance roads to the town centre, which will be announced later this year.”