Celebration for transformative Lancashire bypass

National Highways and its partners have celebrated the completion of the A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool bypass with a special celebration.

MPs, civic dignitaries and invited guests joined the team behind the scheme, built around the village of Little Singleton, which is reducing congestion, improving safety and lessening the impact of traffic on the local community by removing a major bottleneck to Fleetwood.

Key achievements delivered throughout the course of construction include:

• Building of the new three-mile bypass with two lanes in each direction
• Constructing three new bridges
• Laying 100,000 tonnes of road surface material
• Recycling 500,000 tonnes of site materials
• Creating six new or improved junction upgrades
• Installing 18 miles of traffic signal cabling
• Utilising 50 local companies

Biodiversity has also been improved with 72,000 trees and shrubs planted, with more due to come, plus pond, woodland and grassland areas enriched or newly introduced. Further environmentally friendly improvements include safe crossings for wildlife beneath the bypass and creating bird mitigation areas for special species.

Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood welcomed the bypass. She said: “The A585 is a vital project for the local community, cutting journey times, improving safety and providing an economic boost to the region.

“This Government will build transport infrastructure to drive economic growth, deliver for the taxpayer and bring opportunities across the country.”

With final upgrades to the network complete, aside from some seasonal planting in winter, now was the ideal time to celebrate the major achievement with the local community.

National Highways Project Manager Tom Peckitt said: “It has been a privilege to deliver this scheme and work with the local community. It’s the culmination of a lot of hard work which is already resulting in vastly improved journeys. The three miles of new road added around the village of Little Singleton has brought much-needed capacity to deliver smoother, safer and more reliable journeys for everyone.”

National Highways partnered with Kier to deliver the scheme.

Jon Hornsby, Project Director at Kier said: “This has been a great scheme to deliver. We have worked with no less than 50 local-subcontractors, and all those involved in the project, including our teams and our supply chain partners have showcased a high level of technical expertise throughout and can be proud of their achievement.

“The team has also left a positive lasting legacy through their community engagement initiatives, working with local schools, providing work placements and apprenticeships, and supporting no less than 25 local organisations, charities and enterprises.” 

MPs, councillors and dignitaries, including the Mayor and Mayoress of Blackpool, plus representatives from Lancashire, Fylde and Wyre councils and stakeholders all gathered for the celebratory occasion at Singleton Lodge.

The scheme has seen major improvements made to Mains Lane. But the bypass has not only benefitted the local road network, but provided significant improvements for cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, including the construction of four miles of new cycleway and improved crossing points.

Local MPs for the area congratulated the team and welcomed the improvements the new bypass is already delivering.  

MP for Blackpool North and Fleetwood Lorraine Beavers said: “Congratulations to the team who have delivered this bypass. It is already bringing much needed relief from congestion with all the benefits that brings for the local community, plus the wider benefits for our region and our local economy.”

MP for Fylde Andrew Snowden added: “This landmark occasion is a tremendous achievement and congratulations to all those involved. This scheme has seen millions of pounds invested in reducing congestion, speeding up journey times, and boosting jobs and the economy for Fylde.

“The A585 bypass will make it easier for people getting to work, education, and for visitors to travel, improving links between some of our more rural communities with Poulton and other larger towns.

“Securing further major investments like this and continuing to improve the existing road and rail networks will be a top priority for me - as it is critical to economic success and opportunities in Fylde”.

MP for Lancaster and Wyre Cat Smith added: “It’s fantastic news that the A585 bypass project is complete. Residents have been patient throughout the long duration of this major infrastructure project, and I hope now that the benefits of easing of congestion, improved transportation and better accessibility to the wider region will be felt by all.”

Local councils have worked in partnership with National Highways throughout the scheme, all acknowledging the improvements the bypass is bringing to the area.

County Councillor Phillippa Williamson, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “The new bypass is a very welcome addition to Lancashire's road network, and people are now seeing the benefits in terms of improved journey times, reduced congestion, and easier and safer journeys.

“Crucially, the road supports sustainable economic growth of this area, so the opportunities and advantages for local residents do not have an unacceptable impact on congestion in the area.

“Another key advantage of this scheme is the transformation of Mains Lane. It is now a much quieter local road which will be maintained by the county council in the future, with improvements made to pedestrian and cycle facilities, and the speed limit reduced to 30mph.”

Fylde Council Leader, Councillor Karen Buckley, added: “The building of the new bypass is a wonderful achievement for the area, greatly reducing the congestion on our roads, plus providing wider benefits for everyone, as well as helping boost the local economy.”

Wyre Council Leader Councillor Michael Vincent echoed the same sentiments: “A huge well done to the team behind the new bypass. They can be proud of their achievement for the area, and we look forward to all the benefits it promises for our communities in the years to come.”

You can find out more about the scheme on our webpage at https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/north-west/a585-windy-harbour-to-skippool/