Potholes cash to fix Blackpool roads

The council has received £667,000 for pothole repairs as part of its annual allocation of funding from the Department of Transport.

A report to a meeting of the executive next Monday says total capital spend of £2.2m is available for the 2021/22 local transport plan.

It says parts of the grant will be used “to address the maintenance backlog on the road network and ensure inspections of bridges and structures are up to date.”

Among the projects set to be given priority are installing more electric charging points into public car parks and supporting the coach trade which is seen as vital to the tourism economy.

Money will also be spent on cycling initiatives including the creation of a Blackpool Wheel cycle route, and more parking facilities for cyclists.

The full list of priorities includes –

* Road safety measures – priorities to be identified.

* Traffic control and highway network enhancements – supporting regeneration and growth in and around the town centre.

* Public realm enhancements – small-scale schemes to be considered.

* Parking provision and management – enhancing parking management and supporting the coach trade which is vital to Blackpool’s visitor economy.

* Bus infrastructure – primarily to renew Blackpool’s ageing bus shelters.

* Cycling and walking – responding to Government initiatives on active travel, progressing a ‘Blackpool Wheel’ cycle route and improving public cycle parking.

* Monitoring – primarily for manual traffic counts and automatic traffic counters.

* Programme and scheme development – for scheme design; and to maintain support for the South Fylde Line Community Rail Partnership.

* Electric vehicle charging points – introducing new facilities in public car parks for residents and visitors to use.

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