M55 to Heyhouses Link Road taking shape ready for Spring opening

Their visit towards the end of November came as the initial earthworks phase had recently been completed, with the large culverts and drainage attenuation tanks which had been visible in previous months now covered in earth as the road begins to take its final form.

Work to build the upper layers of the road has now reached most of the way from Cypress Point at the southern end of the site towards where it will connect to the Whitehills Roundabout at the north.

The current focus of activity following the earthworks is laying the kerbing, with long lengths already having been completed, and work to install drainage and construct pavements due to follow on behind in the new year.

Construction will begin shortly on the existing Wild Lane/North Houses Lane to provide a good route for pedestrians, cyclists and equestrians parallel to the new road.

Construction is on course for the road to open in Spring 2024.

County Councillor Aidy Riggott, Lancashire County Council cabinet member for economic development and growth, said: "The link road will make a real difference to travel in this area and we were all pleased to see that construction is progressing well.

"The site now looks very different to when we last visited a few months ago when work was focused on completing the large structures which are needed to control drainage across the area and prevent the road from flooding.

"These have now been covered up and we could get a good sense of how it will look when finished thanks to the good progress being made to install the kerbs and highways drains before the final task of laying the new surface."

Councillor Karen Buckley, leader of Fylde Borough Council, said: "The site visit proved helpful to see the progress being made with kerbing, crossings and the roundabout at the southern end all taking shape.  There was plenty of activity on site and it's a relief to see that we are now only a few months away from completion of the link road, which will prove a pivotal moment for Fylde."

Debbie Francis OBE, chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, said: "The LEP’s Getting Building Fund, which has backed this project with £5.79m of investment, is focused on initiatives which support regional economic growth and helps to boost local communities. A good example is the new bridleway being developed as part of this scheme, which will create new active travel and commuting opportunities that both residents and businesses can benefit from."

Mark Menzies, Member of Parliament for Fylde, said: "It has been fantastic to see the new road emerge in recent months. The road will significantly increase capacity to the M55, reducing congestion on Queensway and other important routes.

"It has been a real team effort to get here, having fought to bring together a funding package from local and national Government, I am now grateful to those working onsite to make the Moss Road’s transformation from country track to fully fledged highway a reality.

"With the Preston West Distributor Road already open and the A585 Singleton bypass due to follow suit, a £300 million programme of investment in Fylde’s roads is now nearing completion."

The new road is being built to improve access between Lytham St Annes and the M55, relieve congestion on smaller local roads, and support the commercial viability of local housing and business development sites.

It will connect the existing roundabout at Whitehills Road to the north with Heyhouses Lane near the Cypress Point development site to the south, providing much better access between the M55 motorway and existing employment areas in Lytham and St Annes, with the improved link to the coast also supporting the Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone and the area's vital leisure and tourism industry.