Major update as opening of pedestrian crossings on St Annes Promenade still awaited
“The new zebra crossings are not yet operational because a utility connection needs to be completed before they can be brought into use safely”
Twin pedestrian crossings on a busy seafront road are expected to finally open early next month.
The zebra crossings within yards of each other on St Annes Promenade - one which has been refurbished and one new - have been out of use for months as part of the £1.6m Pier Link phase of the town’s improvement scheme run by Fylde Council.
The Pier Link stretch of road itself opened on October 14, 15 weeks behind schedule, although the council has advised that it will have to close again briefly to allow for its surface, judged substandard, to be replaced.
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Since then, the crossings from the seaward end of the Pier Link to the pier have remained out of use, with temporary traffic lights in their place, apparently because Belisha beacons were awaited.
Fylde Council have indicated that the barriers being removed from the crossing is imminent but hopes of the crossings being operational by the end of last week proved premature.
Now, the council has clarified the reason for the delay and says they should be operational with in says.
A spokesperson said: “The new zebra crossings are not yet operational because a utility connection needs to be completed before they can be brought into use safely.
“This work requires attendance by Electricity North West, who were scheduled to be on site yesterday.
“Once these works have been completed, the contractor will be able to undertake the final preparations necessary to make the crossings operational and open them for public use.
“It is hoped that they will be fully open by the beginning of next week.”