New access road to create local Blackpool jobs set to open

A new access road from Common Edge Road to Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone on Amy Johnson Way is set to open next week.

Opening of the new road will unlock prime development land, allowing businesses to grow and creating valuable job opportunities for residents.

The new through road, Vickers Way, will be open to traffic on Tuesday 5 May, providing an alternative route in and out of the business park and reducing congestion.

Vickers Way also features a shared footpath and cycle lane to provide safe access for pedestrians and cyclists accessing the business park. To further improve accessibility through the Enterprise Zone, Blackpool Transport will also be running a bus service along the new route.

Vickers Way will also provide a new entry point to the Common Edge Community Sports Village, enabling users to access the facilities which include 14 grass football pitches, a full sized floodlit 3G football pitch and a floodlit rugby pitch, via an alternative route. Since opening in 2023, the community sports village has been so popular that plans have recently been submitted to create additional parking at the site.

Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment, said: “This is a major milestone for Blackpool. We have invested in a new road that eases congestion, supports business growth and will create jobs for local people. It’s all part of this council’s plan to make Blackpool better for the people who live here.

“This is more than just the opening of a new road; we’re unlocking opportunities. By improving connectivity and supporting long‑term economic growth, we’re delivering real benefits for residents through new jobs, skills and investment in the area.

“We are already seeing strong interest from local companies looking to expand on the newly unlocked land, reinforcing the Enterprise Zone’s position as one of the leading business destinations in the North West, and we can expect to see development and new jobs being created very soon.”

The new road name was chosen by school children at nearby St Nicholas Church of England Primary School, along with Hallett Avenue, a new residential road connecting Vickers Way with Oakwood Close which opened earlier in the year. The names follow the area’s tradition of roads being named along an aviation theme.

Funding for the new access road has been supported by a £7.5m grant from the UK Government, as part of the Blackpool Town Deal awarded in 2022.

Minister for Devolution, Faith and Communities, Miatta Fahnbulleh, said: "The opening of Vickers Way is exactly what this funding is about: opening up opportunity for residents and creating the conditions for people and businesses to thrive.

"From business growth to better connections for cyclists, pedestrians and sports fans, I look forward to seeing the development grow and Blackpool continue to go from strength to strength."

Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone sits across Blackpool and Fylde, supporting over 4,000 jobs across 200 businesses, with an ambition to create 5,000 new jobs in the area by 2041.

Blackpool Council is the accountable body for the Enterprise Zone on behalf of Blackpool and Fylde Councils, and has committed to investing £54m of creating new infrastructure to support business growth over the next 15 years.

Charlie Richards, Service Director for Development at Fylde Council, said: "This marks an important milestone in the delivery of the scheme, which will help unlock economic activity at the airport and improve transport connectivity at the Blackpool–Fylde boundary.

''The Council would like to thank partners for their ongoing work in delivering the project and supporting economic development and prosperity across the Fylde Coast."