'I can't believe these works on a key road between St Annes and Blackpool have taken so long'
“I really can’t believe the work is taking so long - it is causing so much frustration for drivers and residents”
A veteran councillor and former Fylde mayor has vented her frustration at long-running roadworks continuing to cause frustration for drivers on a key road between St Annes and Blackpool.
Temporary lights were introduced at the junction of Queensway and Kilnhouse Lane back on June 15 and were listed as continuing until November 2.
But as that date passed, the work was still ongoing, with major delays for drivers building up at peak times, particularly on Kilnhouse Lane, which reopened last month as the temporary lights system in place was switched from two-way to three-way.
The work at the junction is a private scheme being carried out by Quinn Civils under the authority of Lancashire County Council to allow for road system improvements outside the adjacent Rowland Homes site at Richmond Point.
Cllr Karen Henshaw, a Kilnhouse ward representative on Fylde Council said: “I really can’t believe the work is taking so long - it is causing so much frustration for drivers and residents.
“The closure of Kilnhouse Lane as part of the work has been very frustrating through the summer for drivers and those using the No 10 bus which has struggled to keep to schedule.
“Kilnhouse Lane’s reopening has meant three-way lights, adding to the delays and meaning what used to be relatively short journeys across into Blackpool have taken so much longer.
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“I’m sure it wouldn’t be allowed to happen in other countries. We have lived in the Far East and the priority there was to work as quickly as possible to get the job done.
“So many projects here have been taking so long and going over projected deadlines. Kilnhouse residents and those travelling this way between Blackpool and St Annes have had to put up with this through a busy summer of events as well as in their daily routines.
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“I feel so sorry for the people who need to travel that way to work or to school as part of there daily business. It was a long project anyway but dreadfully disappointing it has gone over deadline.
“The queues around there have been horrendous at times and not a good advert for our area.”
Lancashire County Council was contacted for comment.