Civic Event at Fylde Council celebrates opening of M55 to Heyhouses Link Road

The significant benefits of the link road to the area are now being enjoyed by local residents, and were experienced by the thousands who used it for the first time to visit the annual Lytham Festival just days after it opened on Friday 28 June.

Representatives from Lancashire County Council, Fylde Council, National Highways, Transport for the North, and the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone were amongst those in attendance to celebrate the success of the project and the economic benefits it will bring to the wider area.

The new road completes the existing Lytham St Annes Way by linking the Whitehills Roundabout near the M55 to Heyhouses Lane near Cypress Point, greatly easing access between St Annes, Ansdell, Fairhaven, Lytham, and the M55.

The £27m road will support the commercial viability of local housing sites, existing employment areas and business development sites, with the improved link to the coast providing a welcome boost to the Blackpool Enterprise Zone and the Fylde coast’s leisure and tourism industry.

Cllr Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, said: "We have already seen the difference this new road has made, as thousands of visitors from across the country were able to use it while journeying to and from Lytham Festival, one of the biggest events in Fylde’s calendar. The greater ease of travel has already proven to be a boon to Fylde’s visitor economy, as well as relieving congestion on local roads, and so causing less inconvenience for residents.

"In our Corporate Plan for 2024-28, we reiterated our commitments to support investment, critical infrastructure and economic growth across the borough. The completion of the link road complements our ambitions to regenerate St Annes through our St Annes Masterplan, the imminent completion of the Kirkham Futures Project, and our UK Shared Prosperity Fund investment programme to achieve these goals."

County Councillor Phillippa Williamson, Leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "In the short period the new link road has been open, we have already seen the very positive impact it is having on people's journeys.

"Completing the road has been a huge achievement, and will be key to the future of the Fylde coast as the local economy continues to grow.

"The link road has been delivered just one year on from the opening of Edith Rigby Way to the west of Preston, with the same aim of cutting travel times and unlocking opportunities for growth.

"The completion of yet another significant transport project signals our ambition to make Lancashire an even better place to live, work and visit.

"We have much more to look forward to in the very near future, and remain on the cusp of an historic devolution deal for Lancashire which will give us a stronger voice on the regional and national stage.

"As the link road becomes part of the fabric of Fylde it shows that, by working ever more closely with our public and private sector partners, we can drive our local economy and help Lancashire thrive."

Bruce Parker, Head of Planning and Development at National Highways (NW) said: "We are delighted to have supported the delivery of this new road scheme which has been a great example of partnership working across many organisations.

"The benefits of the project are already being felt economically, helping to unlock the development of new homes and the creation of new jobs.

"We are also delighted to have been able to support a project that is reducing congestion locally, improving access and providing better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists."

Katie Day, Strategy Director and Deputy Chief Executive for Transport for the North, added: "Better transport connections help our economy and society - whether it is opening up commercial opportunities, helping people access education, training and healthcare, or visiting leisure and cultural facilities.

"An effective, efficient and integrated transport system is fundamental to our lives every day. It connects people and places to jobs and services.

"This project has shown the power of collaboration. By working together, we can deliver better connectivity for citizens and businesses to support sustainable and inclusive growth for people and places across the North of England."