The M55 to Heyhouses Link Road has met with further delays as a consequence of the heavy rainfall earlier this Summer. The long-awaited road continues to be under construction with the eventual aims of improving access between Lytham St Anne’s and the M55, relieving congestion on smaller local roads, and supporting the commercial viability of local housing and business development sites. Work has been ongoing since construction began in early 2021 – but the opening of the road which was due later this year has now been put back until Spring 2024.
The opening has reportedly been delayed following unforeseen issues which have hit construction during the last few months. These issues include the flooding of the site and surrounding areas. The knock-on effect of these problems has impacted construction work such as the laying of asphalt, which has been delayed and now cannot be carried out during the upcoming cold Winter months.
County Councillor Rupert Swarbrick, Lancashire County Council Cabinet Member for Highways & Transport said, ‘The link road will make a real difference to travel in this area and construction is progressing well. However, a number of issues over recent months have set back the opening date. The ground where the road is being built is naturally quite wet. Which is why so much of the construction schedule has been devoted to ensuring we have the infra-structure in place to control water flow and drainage to prevent the road from flooding.’
The featured photograph is from Lancashire County Council dated 10th March 2023 under the heading ‘Lancashire county councillors, Fylde borough councillors, the MP for Fylde, and representatives of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership met at the site of the M55 to Heyhouses Link Road this week for a progress update on its construction.’ At that time the road was said to be ‘open for traffic at the end of this year.’
The road is being funded with contributions from the Department for Transport, National Highways, the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP), Lancashire County Council, Fylde Borough Council and monies secured from local development.
