Repair work to finally start

County Coun John Fillis, Lancashire County Council’s cabinet member for highways and transport, said work will start on Division Lane on November 3.

The route, along with nearby Midgeland Road, was closed earlier this year after complaints from neighbours about the state of the roads and concerns they were being used as rat-runs.

County Coun Fillis has now confirmed roadworks on Divisoon Lane – set to include traffic calming measures – will start as planned next month. Blackpool Council said it still planned to keep Midgeland Road closed even after the work has been completed to appease residents.

County Coun Fillis said: “We are still discussing the exact nature of traffic calming measures with residents, but roadworks will start as planned on November 3.

“It is a concern (for residents) but we have to put bollards in place to slow the route down.

“The residents are not happy about the measures and they are not happy about alternatives we have put forward.

“Wherever possible we will open and maintain roads. We are trying to get to it as fast as possible. I feel it will not increase traffic.”

The roads had been used as a cut through after the closure of Wild Lane, also known as the moss road, left two routes between St Annes and Blackpool – Clifton Drive North and the Queensway. The northernmost section of nearby Wild Lane was closed off in August last year due to the state of the road, with a repair bill set at £350,000.

Commuters could drive on Division Lane, on to Midgeland Road, before completing the diversion on School Road.

But Blackpool Council shut off Midgeland Road at its junction with crumbling Division Lane earlier this month after complaints by residents about the volume of traffic.

But not everyone has been impressed by the plans.

Carol Gilligan, of Division Lane said: “We are concerned and neighbours are not happy.

“We have all enjoyed the beauty and quietness of a semi-rural area.

“If the pinch point scheme would go in, it would lower the tone of the area.”

The Gazette told earlier this month how the closure of both roads was affecting traders and residents, including Kennels owner Phil Worden.