Pop up cycle and pedestrian lanes to launch in Blackpool centre
New temporary segregated cycle and pedestrian lanes are to launch in Blackpool to help visitors, commuters, businesses and families stay safe during the extended Tier 3 local lockdown measures.
The new cycle lanes are part of the Government’s Emergency Travel Active Scheme that have been rolled out in other parts of the country to help people to socially distance while commuting, offer more travel choices, support local shops by making trips easier and to encourage exercise.
Highway space has been reallocated for cycling and walking to give more space to cyclists and pedestrians to follow the government guidelines of social distancing.
The pop up pedestrian and cycle lanes will be marked out with temporary barriers and will be in place on Talbot Road, Promenade and New Bonny Street, which have been prioritised in the town centre based on the high footfall in these areas. The new temporary routes will be installed on Sunday 25th October and will come into effect from Monday 26th October and are expected to be in place until Christmas. Localised diversion routes for vehicles will be in place.
Talbot Road (between Promenade and Abingdon Street) – this road is currently closed to vehicular traffic travelling eastbound from the promenade. This will be available to pedestrians and cyclists and marked out with clear signage for public safety.
- Promenade – will remain open to two-way vehicle traffic but new Covid-19 social distancing signage will be in place along the allocated safe route
- New Bonny Street – temporary road one way system will be in place, affecting eastbound traffic only
Cllr Jim Hobson, Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Environment said: “The Covid-19 crisis has changed the way we travel with fewer cars on our streets and vastly reduced capacity on our public transport to maintain social distancing. The emphasis of the temporary cycle and pedestrian lanes is all about creating more safe space, making it easier to walk and cycle around the town centre, to be healthier and greener, offering people more choice of travel options and will continue to help take the pressure of public transport whilst supporting local businesses.
“The success of these temporary routes will enable us to make some informed choices on more permanent pedestrian and cycle routes around the town and hopefully secure funding for more long term green travel schemes in the future.”