Pier Link scheme in St Annes finally approaching completion - almost three months late
“Traffic signalling works will commence over the coming days, alongside further work to the crossings - once these works are completed, the road will be very close to opening”
A town centre road refurbishment scheme is finally approaching completion - 11 weeks on from the originally projected date for its reopening.
Work on the £1.6m Pier Link scheme in St Annes began on February 23 and was due at the time to take 18 weeks, taking it to late June.
But residents and visitors have been left frustrated as the work has continued through the height of the summer season, including during major events such as the St Annes International Kite Festival and St Annes Carnival.
The stretch of St Annes Road West linking the Pier to the town centre has been closed to through traffic throughout and access restricted for pedestrians for much of the scheme’s duration.
The project is Phase 2 of Fylde Council’s St Annes Masterplan, following the £1.13m refurbishment of St Annes Square completed last year.
When completed, the link will feature one-way traffic travelling from Clifton Drive South towards the pier along with wider pavements, new planting and additional seating,.
The council says it will deliver a safer and more welcoming environment for pedestrians and to complement an additional pedestrian cross in being introduced where it meets the promenade, although that and the original pedestrian cross close by are still out of use.
But resurfacing of the Pier Link began on Wednesday, over three evenings, and Fylde Council says that will pave the way for the road to be reopened and project completed, although there is no commitment yet to a date.
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The council said in an update on social media: “Resurfacing works are underway on Pier Link and the Promenade in St Annes as part of ongoing improvement works in the area, ahead of the road reopening in the coming weeks.
“The works are programmed for night-time working to minimise disruption, with road closures in place from 6pm to 5am.
“Normal access will be maintained, where possible, outside of these hours. The closure also covers the section of Promenade where new pedestrian crossings are being installed. Diversion signage is in place throughout.
“Works are scheduled to take place until Friday, September 11, with further work to install the new crossings planned for Saturday, September 12.
“We'd like to thank residents and businesses for their patience while these improvement works are carried out.”
A Fylde Council spokesperson added when approached by The Gazette: “Resurfacing work on the Pier Link scheme is progressing well, with white line painting due to begin this week, weather permitting.
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“Traffic signalling works will commence over the coming days, alongside further work to the crossings. Once these works are completed, the road will be very close to opening.
“However, as with any scheme of this size, this is dependent on a number of elements including the weather coming together, so we're not able to commit to a fixed reopening date at this stage.
“We'll continue to update residents and businesses via our usual channels as soon as we have a firmer timeline.”
Other refurbishment projects are continuing in St Annes, at Garden Street and Orchard Road, and they are projected to be concluded in October.