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£5 Million A585 Junction Transformation Starts

£5 Million A585 Junction Transformation Starts
Written by Amy

Highways England’s project to transform one of the busiest junctions along the A585 in Lancashire will start later this month.

Journeys for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians will be smoother and safer after Norcross junction is overhauled in the £5 million investment which starts on Monday 22 July.

The major improvement to the five ‘arm’ roundabout includes constructing a new roundabout island, adding traffic lights and improving crossing points for cyclists and pedestrians. The work will be constructed in two phases and will be completed by March 2020.

Drivers and local people can find out more about the planned improvements at drop-in events at Thornton Methodist Church between 9am and 7pm today and tomorrow (Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 July).

Highways England project manager Jan De Jong said: “There’s been considerable support for improvements to this junction. Putting traffic lights at the roundabout and providing more room on the approaches to the junction will make journeys safer and smoother for everyone. “We are working hard to minimise disruption to everyone’s journeys during this large-scale improvement.”

Highways England will spend the rest of the summer on preparation work with the main construction starting in September.

During the roadworks, the A585 will remain open at all times. However, Norcross Lane and Fleetwood Road South – the local roads off the roundabout – will be affected by closures at different times. Full information on closures will be available on the project website.

The scheme is funded from a national £220 million congestion relief programme to tackle traffic ‘hotspots’, with more than £27 million being spent in the North West. As well as the project at Norcross roundabout other work includes:

  • a £1 million project to improve the A595 and A66 Fitz roundabout near Cockermouth in Cumbria
  • £1.6 million for widening the A595 and A66 junction at Great Clifton near Workington
  • £800,000 to improve the roundabout traffic lights where the A585 meets the M55 at junction 3 just outside Blackpool
  • £21 million for smaller-scale improvements across the North West

Once the new Norcross roundabout has opened, work can then begin on a £100 million new A585 bypass between Windy Harbour and Skippool.

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Amy