Highways England (HE) has initiated work on the West Drive to Fleetwood shared footpath and cycleway project, which is expected to be completed by the end of March this year.

The works that will be carried out in this section includes the construction of a shared use path alongside a mile-long section of the southbound carriageway at Amounderness Way, between the Eros Roundabout at the Nautical College and Denham Way Roundabout.

HE will also build a new shared footway and cycle path on the south side of Denham Way between Copse Road and the A585.

Two new cycle and pedestrian crossings will also be constructed at south of Denham Way Roundabout and the other to the north of Eros Roundabout.

HE will be executing these works as part of a £100m dedicated fund for cycle enhancements along the national strategic road network, which is part of the Government’s £15bn road investment strategy.

Highways England project manager Philip Tyrrell said: “We are delivering a £15 billion investment in our roads, the largest in a generation, to provide safer, quicker and better journeys.

“This is a significant investment in facilities for cyclists and pedestrians along this busy section of the A585 and will provide a safer and more pleasant environment for both sets of customers.”

To develop this new cycle path, HE has worked closely with Cycling UK’s North West branch and is considering to extend the scheme further from A585 to Skippool.

Cycling UK representative in Wyre Matt Hodges said: “Many people would like to cycle to work or to education but find busy roads like the A585, Amounderness Way, too stressful.

“This investment by Highways England is the first step, in this area, towards making our strategic road network safer and easier to use for cyclists and pedestrians.

"We are delivering a £15 billion investment in our roads, the largest in a generation, to provide safer, quicker and better journeys."

"It will encourage many people to improve their health, fitness and wealth by active travel to work and for leisure.

“We look forward to the extension of this scheme from the Eros Roundabout to Skippool.”

HE further added that a temporary 30mph speed limit will be implemented in this area in order to provide a safe space for workers constructing the new shared paths.

Image: Highways England to build footpath and cycleway near Fleetwood. Photo: courtesy of Crown copyright.