Talks ongoing over M55 link road plans

Fylde Council has been leading negotiations to put together a funding project to replace Wild Lane, also known as the Moss Road, which has been closed for more than 18 months, causing congestion on roads between Blackpool and Fylde.

Fylde’s MP Mark Menzies has also pledged all parties involved are focused on starting work as soon as possible.

Lancashire County Council, the Local Enterprise Partnership, Highways England and Kensington Developments are the other parties involved in the talks which have been ongoing.

The aim is to put together a project to deliver a new fit-for-purpose road which will ease the current strain on Queensway and Clifton Drive but, more importantly, generate economic activity by unlocking development for more than 1,150 homes.

Fylde Council leader Coun Susan Fazackerley said: “It is essential a new road is secured as soon as possible, one that is built in a single phase that is not reliant on the build out rate and the sales of property on the new development.

“The residents of Fylde as well as visitors and commuters who are vital to the local economy, need a road that can meet the demands of a growing and prosperous area.

“The closure of Wild Lane has caused severe traffic congestion for almost two years at considerable inconvenience to residents and visitors, but the road is inadequate to support the vibrant economy of the Fylde Coast.

“A repair of the existing road is not the solution, a replacement road without weight or width restrictions is the proposal we are working on with several partners.”

An accident earlier last week caused Queensway, St Annes to be closed, causing extensive tailbacks along Clifton Drive North and Ballam Road, the only other direct routes from Blackpool to St Annes and Lytham.

John Moxham, chairman of St Annes Chamber of Trade, said the earliest possible start on the new road would be welcome.

“Whenever there is an accident on either road, it is gridlock and even when the roads are clear on busy weekends, there are traffic jams because of the sheer weight of traffic,” he said.

Despite repeated attempts to contact Lancashire County Council, no-one was available for comment.