Highways maintenance programme

We have recently visited the following areas to carry out road improvement works:

• Greenfield Road
• Clifton Road/Ashworth Road mini roundabout
• Park Road
• Layton Road mini roundabout
• Vicarage Lane/Waterloo Road junction
• West Park Drive/Knowsley Avenue mini roundabout
• Yeadon Way
• Chepstow Road
• Midgeland Road
• St Walburga's Road
• Squires Gate/Lytham Road junction
• Ansdell Road
• Ribby Place
• Clifton Avenue
• Annan Crescent
• Nithside
• Ellisland
• Seathwaite Avenue
• Loughrigg Terrace
• Castlerigg Place
• Rossett Avenue
• Grizedale Road
• Ambleside Road
• Bowfell Close
• Winster Place
• Cartmell Road
• Borrowdale Road
• Congleton Close
• Tarnside
• Lindbeck Road
• Birkside Way
• Ennerdale Road
• Mardale Avenue
• Bowness Avenue
• Branstree Road
• Rusland Avenue
• Troutbeck Crescent
• Hawkshead Terrace
• Preston New Road
• Paddock Drive
• Dovedale Avenue
• Wordsworth Avenue
• Kingsley Road
• Knutsford Road
• Layton Road
• Blackpool Old Road
• Kelso Avenue
• Argosy Avenue
• Marton Drive
• St Annes Road
• Whitegate Drive
• Bispham Road
• Mansfield Road
• Rectory Road
• Halton Gardens
• Kingscote Drive
• Macauley Avenue
• Rathlyn Avenue
• Briarwood Drive
• Luton Road
• Raleigh Avenue
• Gregson Close
• Dalton Avenue
• Keasden Avenue
• Tewkesbury Avenue
• Countess Crescent
• South Square
• St Marks Place
• Warren Drive

We've been trialing better ways to look after Blackpool’s roads.

New technology, such as advanced imagery and analysis capturing, uses ultra-high-definition imagery to send road surface information back to our teams. We have also trialed new technology to fill potholes, filling in cracks within just a few minutes, which is great news as it means fewer road closures and a better commute for road users.

Our Project Amber scheme aims to make Blackpool’s roads better by repairing roads in a faster, greener way. This means less disruption, lower repair costs and a better journey for local residents.

Keep up-to-date with our Project Amber works across the town.

Our team also carry out regular inspections on roads throughout the town; however, the minor road improvement works programme is often led by reports made by local residents.

Report an issue on the roads.

We're working hard to ensure that our roads provide smooth, safe journeys for residents, commuters and tourists.

From pothole repairs and minor patch works to major road improvement works, our works across the town are wide varied and we're constantly looking for new and improved methods. See below for some examples of the works going on in the town this year:

Road resurfacing

Roads that are in a state of disrepair will require extensive road resurfacing works. Rather than filling in potholes or doing ‘patch’ repairs, these works involve stripping the entire road down and resurfacing the whole surface to provide a smoother journey for local road users. We've recently resurfaced Paddock Drive, Ansdell Road and a section of Preston New Road between Clifton Road and the M55 junction.

Pothole repairs

A pothole is a defect that is 40mm or greater on a road or 25mm or greater on a footpath or pedestrian crossing point in the road. Our team are out tackling potholes across the town daily. These will either be 'patch' repairs to a small section of the road or a 'make safe' repair to ensure the road is safe and functional until more extensive road resurfacing works can be carried out.

Preservation treatment

Preserving treatments are a quicker and cost-effective way of maintaining the roads before they require extensive repairs. This method helps to improve the lifespan of the road surface, reducing costly repair works and minimising disruption to local residents.

Thermal treatments

Thermal road treatments are designed to improve the quality of the road surface, while saving money and reducing disruption by repairing the roads quicker – all at a far lower environmental cost than traditional methods. We've recently trialed this new innovative treatment on West Park Drive/Knowsley Avenue mini roundabout and will be using this on more locations across the town soon.

Junction improvements

We’re working on improving junctions across the town to ensure they have safe crossing areas for pedestrians while also working in the best way to maintain the flow of traffic. Junction works have recently taken place on Waterloo Road and Vicarage Lane.

Find out more about our plan to maintain the highways in our transport policy.

The highways team are also responsible for maintaining greenery on public land next to roads and pavements in Blackpool, to ensure the highway is passable for pedestrians and vehicles and that sightlines are not obstructed. 

Verge maintenance

We maintain verges, focusing on a 1 metre width unless the entire verge is easily accessible. This approach supports biodiversity and creates green corridors, ensuring clear and safe roads.

Green embankment maintenance

We will maintain grass and shrubs on embankments only when there is a risk of obstruction or encroachment onto the highway, prioritising road safety and allowing natural vegetation to flourish.

Trees and hedgerows maintenance

• Highway clearance: Trees and hedgerows will be kept clear of highways, footpaths, and roads to ensure safe passage
• Nesting season: In general, hedges and trees will be cut outside the nesting season (March to August) to protect wildlife. In some circumstances, if a hedge or tree becomes so overgrown that it poses a safety risk to road users, such as obstructing visibility, it may be necessary to cut it back, even during the nesting season

Benefits of long grass

• Ecosystem services: Long grass helps with carbon sequestration, soil stabilization, and air purification
• Biodiversity: Supports diverse flora and fauna, providing habitats for insects, birds, and small mammals
• Flood management: Improves soil structure and water infiltration, reducing surface runoff and flood risk

Additional Information

• Tree inspections: Regular inspections ensure the health and safety of trees. Risky trees will be pruned or removed
• Community involvement: We encourage community participation in tree planting and maintenance projects, supported by tree wardens and volunteers, where safe to do so following risk assessments
• Reporting issues: Residents can report issues related to trees, hedgerows, or verges through our website or by contacting Customer First