A585 Windy Harbour bypass now fully open

After a build lasting four years, the £162m A585 Windy Harbour bypass is fully open.

This means that drivers are now using all four lanes of the bypass at the national speed limit of 70mph.

For safety, the speed limit will be reduced to 50mph toward Poulton junction and 40mph on the approach to Skippool Bridge junction.

The build began back in Spring 2020, and partially opened to traffic at the end of last year.

A spokesperson for National Highways said: ‘’This is a significant milestone for road users and the local community. The project adds approximately three miles of new road around the village of Little Singleton, adding much-needed capacity to deliver smoother and more reliable journeys.

‘’We would like to thank you for your patience and cooperation throughout our work.

‘’We will continue to monitor traffic flows very closely. Our traffic management team is on-site currently to ensure the bypass is operating as expected.

‘’Minor adjustments, for example to traffic light timings, might need to be made to ensure traffic is running smoothly. Technicians were on-site last week and will be returning to fine-tune traffic light signals once motorists adjust to the new road layout.’’

Following the full bypass opening, there are some finishing works requitred, primarily landscaping and tree planting.

Most of the work will be away from the road, but occasional lane closures on the bypass will be needed. They will be carrying out our work during off-peak times or overnight.

In addition, they will be carrying out alterations to Mains Lane (the old A585) to reflect its new function as a local road before handing it back to Lancashire County Council.

This will include:

completing a new traffic island at Shard Road junction

upgrading traffic signals at Shard Road and Singleton junction and installing new pedestrian crossings

moving the bus stop from Shard Road to Mains Lane and installing tactile paving to improve pedestrian safety

installing new cycle lanes on the carriageway between Shard Road junction and Singleton

Work to improve Little Singleton junction will start week commencing Monday 4 March.

There will be lane closures around the junction and Shell garage.

Access to the garage will be maintained via Mains Lane and Garstang Road East. In addition, Lodge Lane will be closed on 11 March for five nights so that adjustments to the white lining can be made.