Road changes to ease traffic queues in Blackpool

Hornby Road and Coronation Street in Blackpool will be made two-way in the spring, instead of one-way as at present.

It means drivers will be able to turn from Park Road onto Hornby Road and Coronation Street to reach the Houndshill Centre, and they will be able to turn left off Albert Road into Coronation Street instead of going round the one-way system.

The work will take place between April and June and will mean some disruption on roads in the area.

Coun Fred Jackson, Blackpool Council’s cabinet member for municipal assets, said: “We’ve been listening to road users about what they think about driving around Blackpool.

“When we initially sat down with the highways consultative forum, one of the first things mentioned was whether we could make it easier for people driving in to the town centre.

“Turning a large chunk of the one way system around Hornby Road should cut down on congestion and reduce driving times – so we’re happy to give it a try.

“The work will mean some short term pain while we rearrange the old road layouts, but we think the long term improvement will be worth it.”

Taxi drivers today welcomed the changes.

Bill Lewtas, secretary of the Blackpool Licensed Taxi Operators Association, said: “We were consulted on this as members of the highways consultative forum and we asked other taxi drivers for their opinion. Most drivers thought it would ease congestion and help to reduce journey times. We have given this our full support.

“Some of the changes made in the past have been responsible for increased congestion in the town centre. So it is good that efforts are being made to address this.”

The highways consultative forum is made up of representatives from the council, community, local businesses, bus, tram and taxi services, emergency services and hoteliers.