One-way system approved

A new one-way system is to be introduced in St. Annes town centre after getting the green light from highways bosses.

The restriction will cover a stretch of St. Annes Road West and will prevent vehicles turning onto the route from the promenade, to head towards the main shopping area.

Instead, traffic will be able to flow only in the opposite direction – from the junction of Clifton Drive North/South down to North/South Promenade.

The aim of the Fylde Council-led scheme is to better link the town centre and the seafront – enabling the footpath to be widened on one side of St. Annes Road West.

However, following responses to a public consultation carried out last year, Lancashire County Council – which is overseeing the project as the highways authority – amended the original proposal, opting to introduce a ‘contraflow cycle lane’.  That will allow cyclists to travel away from the prom, against the flow of vehicular traffic.

Work began on Monday and the road will be partially closed for up to 18 weeks.  

The county council says the package of measures will improve connectivity between the pier, the beach and the town centre.- by reducing traffic and “creating an inviting and pedestrian-friendly environment”, which will include new planting and seating.

Highways officials say the direction chosen for the one-way system was “based on the availability of adjacent roads” and recorded vehicle volumes.

A total of 10 objections were received as part of the consultation – the majority of which related to concerns over the impact of diverted traffic using East Bank Road and Beech Road, where it was suggested vehicles already struggle to pass each other when blue badge-holders are parked on yellow lines along those routes.

However, the county council said in a report into the scheme that the effect on adjacent streets was modelled and “found to be negligible”.

The changes are part of Fylde Council’s Pier Link project.  The authority says local businesses have long expressed concern that the waterfront and town centre are not sufficiently connected.