£300k cost revealed to replace cracked cobbles on Blackpool's Waterloo Road

Highways chiefs are set to spend £300,000 repairing part of Waterloo Road in South Shore after paving slabs installed to make the area more attractive have cracked.
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Cobbles laid down several years ago on the stretch of road between Lytham Road and the Promenade as part of an improvement scheme, are now due to be replaced and a more traditional road surface expected to be used.

It had been hoped the work could be done before the end of this year, but Blackpool Council says it will now be the new year before investment begins.

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Ward councillors David O’Hara and Derek Robertson have both campaigned for the road to be resurfaced.

The damaged carriageway on Waterloo RoadThe damaged carriageway on Waterloo Road
The damaged carriageway on Waterloo Road
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Coun O’Hara said: “The current surface was put in about 15 years ago when councils were looking to pedestrianise more areas.

“It was a good idea at the time but the surface has just not lasted. It needs to be done properly and that means the preparation work.

“It needs to look good, but they also need to use materials that are sustainable and able to take the amount of traffic.”

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Coun Robertson said: “That stretch of Waterloo Road is now like a cross country road because it is so bumpy.

“The cobbles have not lasted as long as they should have done, so I would like to see it returned to a properly resurfaced road. I had hoped the work could have been done sooner but we have been told it will be early next year now.”

Blackpool Council said it was aware of “wear and tear” on the road and there were plans to improve the surface in the new year, using the “latest materials and techniques which allow us to maintain many of Blackpool’s roads in a more sustainable and cost-effective way.”

The council said the cost of repair works would be around £300,000.

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