First phase of major Blackpool town centre £17m road upgrade starts

The first phase of a major programme of road improvements designed to support Blackpool’s regeneration and improve access to the town centre is starting this week.

As part of the Town Centre Access Scheme (TCAS), a £17m project part‑funded by £15.3m from the UK Government, Blackpool Council will make significant upgrades to key routes in and around the town centre to help improve traffic flow for residents and businesses.

The work complements the council’s commitment to increase spending on roads maintenance, and comes as the council is resurfacing over a dozen residential roads this spring.

The full scheme will see improvements made on roads in and around the town centre to make Blackpool more easily accessible for both road users and pedestrians. Upgrades will include improving road layouts, modifying existing traffic signal junctions to work more effectively together, introducing more crossing areas to improve the area for pedestrians and cyclists.

Cllr Paula Burdess, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Safety, Street Scene and Neighbourhoods, said: “This is an important investment our town’s future. These improvements support our long‑term ambition to create a town centre that’s easier to access and more inviting for residents, businesses and visitors.

“The town has already seen significant regeneration, with more to come, and it’s essential that our highways network is upgraded to support the towns continued development.

“While there will inevitably be some disruption, this investment will deliver real benefits for residents, local businesses and future growth in the town.”

Roads and Buses Minister, Simon Lightwood said: “Blackpool is a town with real ambition, and this £15.3m Government investment in its road network is a clear sign of this government's commitment to supporting that growth.

“By improving access to the town centre, we are making it easier for residents, businesses and visitors to get where they need to go. This is what investing in local infrastructure looks like in practice - backing communities and helping them thrive."

The first phase of work began this week at the junction of Grosvenor Road and Caunce Street and will take place for approximately 10 weeks, subject to weather conditions.

The improvements will include upgrades to the traffic signals and widening the road to safely reinstate two-way traffic flow on Grosvenor Street. To maintain traffic flow, the works will be completed without temporary traffic lights however reduced lanes will be in operation. Road users are advised to allow extra time when travelling in this area.

Work will then move to the junction of Deansgate and Cookson Street to remodel the junction, adding formal pedestrian crossings and improving cycling facilities.

The wider TCAS programme will be delivered in phases, with the full scheme expected to be completed by Autumn 2028.

The works include:

·        Updating the road layout and junctions on Grosvenor Street and Deansgate to enable two-way traffic flow

·        Introducing a right turn from Cookson Street onto Deansgate

·        Improving the traffic light signal junctions along Grosvenor Street and Cookson Street

·        Installing new toucan crossings on Cookson Street, Deansgate and Grosvenor Street to provide safer pedestrian and cycling routes

·        Creating additional parking bays on Cookson Street for drop offs/pick ups

·        Closing George Street to traffic, between Grosvenor Street and Cookson Street, to enable a public realm space for the new Multiversity campus

·        Creating a cycle lane on King Street to complete a north-south route in the town centre

Improvements to the highways network are also part of our wider commitment to transform the Talbot Gateway area around Blackpool North train station, bringing over 8,000 workers and students into the town centre and driving long-term economic growth.

Upgrades in the area have already delivered a 4-star 144 bedroom Holiday Inn hotel and restaurant, a tram-train interchange linking to Blackpool promenade, a town centre office for the Department of Works and Pensions and a new home for the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) with staff recently moving into the first floor of Number One, Bickerstaffe Square.

Further developments are already underway with a new office for the Ministry of Defence expected to open next year, construction work for a new Multiversity college campus due to start later this year and plans for another multi-storey car park on King Street expected to be submitted this year.