We’ve improved 21 of the worst roads in Blackpool, says council

Some 21 residential roads in Blackpool – including many with the worst potholes – have been resurfaced as part of a huge council investment in extra road maintenance.

In the past 12 weeks over 44,000m2 of road has been repaired, improving journeys where people live.

Blackpool Council’s road maintenance budget has increased by £6m this year, targeted at resurfacing and restoring key routes, as well as improving the condition of residential roads across the town.

With potholes seen as a major nationwide issue, Blackpool Council has been recognised as one of the stronger performers in the UK at addressing potholes across its network.

Earlier this month, new data from motoring experts at Blackcircles, obtained through Freedom of Information requests, reveals which areas are carrying out the highest number of repairs.

Blackpool ranked ninth overall, with 15,071 potholes fixed between 2021 and 2025. This equates to a repair rate of 3,364 per 100 kilometres, placing the seaside resort among the more proactive councils in maintaining road conditions.

Now the council is continuing this programme into 2026 as part of its major investment.

Cllr Paula Burdess, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for highways, said: “We are fully committed to improving Blackpool’s roads.”

“For years, we have done preventative maintenance and resurfacing focused on major commuting roads but I know residents are keen to see their local streets fixed too.

“This marks the beginning of an intensive campaign to improve Blackpool’s most challenging streets and restore them to the quality our residents expect.”

Residents have been glad to see the streets repaired and troublesome potholes fixed, although not everyone has been impressed.

Resident Kristian Perry, of Halton Gardens, Marton, recently complained about the quality of work carried out.

Earlier this month, he said: “It’s great we now have a road with no potholes but as a neighbourhood it seems we’re in a far worse position now than before due to the works completed by Bethell and Blackpool Council.

“The works were completed over two weeks ago yet the gulleys are still full and blocked with debris to the point at which the road now floods during rainfall. The new road surface has bitumen deposits spilled on it, leaving it lumpy and unsightly.

“I don’t like to complain after an effort was made to solve the potholes but the quality of the work and the way they have gone about it is poor.”

However, a Blackpool Council spokesperson responded that a site visit confirmed all materials related to the works had now been removed, and the authority would continue to oversee the final stages to ensure everything was completed as expected.

The council said this week it had planned works on key routes across the town in the coming months, including St. Annes Road, Devonshire Road, Central Drive and Bloomfield Road, as well as a further 18 residential roads.

Anyone concerned about the condition of a road or pothole can report it online at www.blackpool.gov.uk/ReportARoad