A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool

We’re building a new offline bypass around the village of Little Singleton. The bypass will help to reduce congestion, improve safety, reduce the impact of traffic on the local community, and remove a major bottleneck on the main road to Fleetwood.

Start date Spring 2020

End date Winter 2023

Cost £162 million

Latest updates

27 October 2023
Autumn update

Ahead of the new bypass opening in winter 2023, we wanted to provide you with an update on our progress.

Poulton junction / Garstang Road East

Utility and communication services have been installed at Poulton junction and we’re well underway with earthworks to create extra lanes and traffic islands.

To safely complete this work, we need to close Garstang Road East overnight on the following dates and times:
- Monday 6 to Friday 10 November - Garstang Road East closed overnight to all vehicles from 8pm to 5.30am. Access for pedestrians and residents will be maintained throughout
- starting Monday 20 November for around two weeks – two-way traffic lights will be in operation on Garstang Road East overnight (8pm to 5.30am) Monday to Friday, enabling us to construct Poulton junction
Skippool junction

In the coming months we’ll be completing our work at Skippool junction. This includes installing permanent traffic signals and the remaining traffic islands.

Skippool Bridge junction

We need to make some changes to the road layout on Mains Lane and will be installing a central reservation safety barrier between the new Skippool Bridge junction and Skippool traffic lights. This work will take place week commencing Monday 30 October.

Lodge Lane

In June, we opened the new Lodge Lane bridge, restoring the connection between Little Singleton and Singleton village and paving the way for the bypass work to continue through the area.

In addition, we’ve started constructing the new road under the bridge, which includes an upgraded drainage system.

Windy Harbour

The new Grange footbridge close to Windy Harbour junction is also nearing completion. This will allow walkers and cyclists to cross the new bypass from Pool Foot Lane footpath, providing safe access to the village of Singleton.

The bridge includes disability ramps enabling access to and from the soon-to-be de-commissioned Garstang New Road.

Project newsletter

We’ve published our latest project newsletter, which provides you with information about our work and how we’re supporting the community.

You can find out about all this and more by reading our October 2023 newsletter.
21 July 2023
Scheme progress update

We’re pleased to let you know that we’ve opened an extra lane in both directions on the approach to Skippool, increasing capacity at the junction.

In addition, we’re making good progress at Lodge Lane and re-opened the road at the end of June.

On the new eastbound carriageway at Windy Harbour, we’ve completed earthworks and constructed a new drainage system. This has enabled us to install 550 metres of road surface at the location. We will now start work on the footpaths and tie-in the new sections of road.

What’s coming up?

It was great to see so many of you at our engagement van sessions in Hambleton last month.

If you didn’t get chance to come along and have a question about the scheme, we’ll be at Lidl car park in Poulton on:
- Tuesday 15 August, 12pm to 6pm
- Wednesday 16 August, 9.30am to 3.30pm
We look forward to seeing you there.
16 May 2023
New bypass opening date

Drivers and communities are being advised that the A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool bypass is set to open in winter 2023.

The bypass in Poulton-le-Fylde was due to be completed this summer, but has been delayed due to challenging and complex ground conditions in between Garstang New Road and Mains Lane.

We would like to apologise for any inconvenience this new date may cause. We’re working hard to complete our work on this essential bypass project, safely and as quickly as we possibly can.

Motorists will be able to use the new bypass before the end of the year, benefitting from more reliable and smoother journeys.

Following the bypass opening we’ll be carrying out finishing works. This includes removing traffic management, de-trunking Mains Lane and de-commissioning Garstang New Road.

Why has the opening date changed?

The challenging ground conditions have led to problems in protecting and diverting a major water main. These works could not be rushed due to the risk of bursting the main, potentially leaving residents in Poulton and surrounding areas without water.

As a result, we had to design and adopt a unique engineering solution to divert the main. These unexpected works have delayed the construction of the new Poulton junction at Garstang Road East, which is a critical section to the whole route.

What are we doing to ease disruption?

Over the summer period we will be opening two extra lanes to increase capacity at Skippool, heading westbound and eastbound. This will form part of the permanent solution at the junction and improve the flow of traffic along Mains Lane.

What have we completed so far?

Since starting construction in 2020 we’ve completed a vast amount of work, with a strong focus on reducing our environmental impact. This includes:
- moving and installing a network of complex utility services
- constructing a new drainage system to prevent flooding when the bypass is operational
- removing Skippool Bridge and constructing a new bridge structure over Main Dyke
- building a new underpass at Lodge Lane
- installing Grange footbridge, providing safe pedestrian access to the village of Singleton
- on-site recycling of approximately 500,000 tonnes of site material, creating a net saving of 5,447 tonnes of carbon dioxide
- mammal crossings to assist wildlife under the bypass
- bird mitigation areas for special species like pink-footed geese, lapwing and curlew
What’s coming up?

We’ll be completing key elements of the scheme including:
- realignment of Lodge Lane
- installing permanent traffic signals and road lighting across the project
- implementing a comprehensive re-planting programme, which will be noticeable later this year during planting season
- de-trunking Mains Lane and de-commissioning Garstang New Road. This will take place once we have opened the new bypass
What is de-commissioning?

A decommissioned road is a highway that has been removed from service by closing it down or having its authorisation as a national highway removed.

What is de-trunking?

De-trunking is returning an A-road back to a local highway and handing responsibility for that road to the local highway authority, in this instance from National Highways to Lancashire County Council.

When we de-trunk Mains Lane, we will be constructing new cycle paths and walkways to make it much safer for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

The A585 is one of the most congested sections of road in the region and we are eager to finish this work to provide safer, smoother and more reliable journeys for motorists who use this route every day.

We will continue to update this webpage and our social media channels as we approach the new opening date.
19 April 2023

Lodge Lane closure

We would like to provide you with an update about upcoming work on the A585.

To progress work on the A585, we need to close Lodge Lane next to the new bridge deck, in both directions.

The closure will be in place from Tuesday 2 May for approximately eight weeks. We’ll be working between the hours of 7.30am and 6pm.

Our work will include installing a new drainage system, streetlights, crash barriers and diverting utility services.

We’ve explored alternative options, including closing a single lane under temporary traffic lights. This would generate congestion on surrounding roads and the bridge would take longer than eight weeks to complete. It is quicker and safer to install a full closure.

Access to Barnfield Manor and Singleton Hall will be available at all times.

Traffic will be diverted through Singleton via the B5269 (Mile Road) and the A585 (Fleetwood Road) and the route will be signposted.

We’re advising motorists to leave an extra 10 minutes for their journey during peak travel times.

Please note that the precise dates and times of the works may be subject to change due to weather conditions or unforeseen circumstances. Where possible, we’ll keep you updated of significant changes.

We apologise in advance for any disruption or inconvenience this may cause anyone. If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: a585windyharbourtoskippool@nationalhighways.co.uk.
20 March 2023

Update on temporary signals at Skippool roundabout

Following our most recent update on Friday 17 March regarding the switch at Skippool roundabout to a temporary signalised junction, we would like to provide you with more information about the current situation.

Last week we put in place new temporary traffic signals at Skippool roundabout and this unfortunately led to some lengthy delays that ran into the weekend.

As a result of these issues our engineers have been working over the weekend to collect traffic data and have now revised signal timings to improve the flow of traffic in that area.

This includes the signals affecting Mains Lane, Amounderness Way, together with the junctions of Breck Road and Skippool Road.

We anticipate traffic flows to continue to improve as we collect and analyse this additional data and we will continue to monitor the situation over the next few days.

We will be keeping a close eye on the traffic flow and will be ready to implement changes should they be required.

We’re advising road users to continue allowing extra time for journeys.

Once again, we would like to apologise sincerely for the disruption this has caused.

If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: a585windyharbourtoskippool@nationalhighways.co.uk.
17 March 2023

Work update

Skippool junction

Following the switch at Skippool roundabout to a signalised junction, unfortunately, there have been delays in the area whilst the traffic light system adapts to the flow of traffic. We're advising road users to allow extra time for journeys.

We apologise for the disruption and any inconvenience caused whilst we do everything possible to try and resolve this issue.

Windy Harbour

From Monday 20 March, we will be carrying out surfacing works on the new road alignment at Windy Harbour junction.

This will require closing one lane and implementing a temporary diversion road onto the new bypass.

This work will take approximately one to two weeks.

In order to safely carry out these works, this lane closure will stay on overnight.

Lodge Lane

From week commencing Monday 20 March, we’ll be installing ducts across Lodge Lane and will need to use three-way traffic lights to facilitate this activity.

This work will last approximately three weeks.

We apologise in advance for any disruption or inconvenience this may cause anyone. If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us at: a585windyharbourtoskippool@kier.co.uk
03 March 2023
Forthcoming lane closures from Monday 6 March

Lodge Lane
- From Monday 6 March, we’ll be carrying out curbing and streetlight ducting work on Lodge Lane.
- To complete this work safely, we need to put a southbound lane closure in place. This will last for approximately two weeks between 9:30am to 3.30pm.
- The lane closure will start just south of the entrance to Barnfield Manor. Temporary traffic lights will be in place.
Shard junction
- From Monday 6 March, we’ll be carrying out tree and vegetation clearance at Shard junction and will need to implement lane and footpath closures.
- This work will take place between 9.30am and 4.00pm for two days.
- The lane closures will be on the east bound side of Mains Lane (A585) just before Shard junction and the southbound lane and footpath on Shard Road (A588). Access to the southbound bus stop on Shard Road will be maintained.
Skippool junction
- Mains Lane/Breck Road (on the approach from the garage) will continue to operate as one lane until we switch the road layout from a roundabout to a temporary signalised junction.
- To minimise disruption, the switch will take place overnight on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 March.
We apologise in advance for any disruption or inconvenience this may cause anyone. If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us at a585windyharbourtoskippool@kier.co.uk
01 March 2023

Spring newsletter

The latest scheme newsletter can be found here
15 February 2023
Come and meet the project team

We’d like to provide you with a project update and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have regarding the A585 bypass. Once again, we’ll be using our engagement vehicle to hold public information events at the following location:

Lidl, Clark Street
Poulton Industrial Estate
Poulton-Le-Fylde
FY6 8JW
- Wednesday 22 February - 12:00 mid-day to 6:00pm
- Thursday 23 February - 9:00am to 3:00pm
01 February 2023

Cat Smith, local MP visits site

It was an honour to host Cat Smith MP at our National Highways A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool project, recently.

On a gloriously sunny day Ms Smith explored a newly constructed footbridge and underpass that forms part of the new 4.85km bypass in Poulton-le-Fylde.

The site team showed Ms Smith the latest project milestone - 3,500 linear metres of recently laid bitumen base layer. And over a warm cup of tea, they talked her through the project's sustainability achievements and archaeology findings.
19 January 2023

A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool update - off-peak lane closure, southbound Lodge Lane

From 23 January, we’ll be carrying out drainage and kerbing works on the North side of Lodge Lane.

This work will last approximately one week.

To complete this work safely, we need to put a southbound lane closure in place on Lodge Lane. This will be in operation during off-peak hours (9am to 3.30pm).

The lane closure will start just before the entrance to Singleton Hall and Barnfield Manor on Lodge Lane. Temporary traffic lights will be in place.

We apologise in advance for any disruption or inconvenience this may cause anyone. If you have any queries, please don’t hesitate to contact us at a585windyharbourtoskippool@kier.co.uk.
15 December 2022
A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool bypass - update 15 December 2022

Work is progressing well on the A585 and we’re on schedule to complete the new bypass by summer 2023.

As we head into the project’s final year, you will start to see things taking shape.

Skippool junction
You may have noticed some changes to the temporary roundabout at Skippool recently. We’ve made it bigger to allow for a larger working area, so we can safely construct traffic islands at this location. In February, we’ll switch the roundabout to a 4-way temporary signalised junction. This will be a similar function to the permanent traffic layout when the new bypass becomes operational.

Skippool Bridge and Mains Lane
In October 2022, we switched traffic to a new bridge alignment, allowing us to safely demolish the old Skippool bridge over Main Dyke.

As we approach spring 2023, we’ll start to construct the remaining section of the new bridge and a signalised junction on Mains Lane where the bypass will intersect.

Lodge Lane
We continue to construct the underpass at this location and expect to complete piling work before the Christmas break. In the new year we’ll start to install the underpass bridge beams, kerbs and drainage on Lodge Lane. We’re on schedule to switch traffic from the temporary road alignment back onto Lodge Lane by spring 2023.

Windy Harbour junction
Driving along Garstang New Road, you may have noticed the construction of the new Grange footbridge. We’re aiming to have the bridge completed by the end of February (weather permitting).

In addition to the above, we continue to deliver a vast amount of other work, including:
- Kerb, pavement and street light installation
- Drainage and gulley construction
- Diverting underground services
- Ducting and cable installation, which will power the new signalised junctions.
As we approach Christmas, we’ll be finishing off as much of our work as possible before closing site for the festive period. We will close on Friday 23 December 2022, returning on Tuesday 3 January 2023. If you have any urgent enquiries during this period, please contact the National Highways 24-hour Customer Contact Centre on 0300 123 5000.

The team at the A585 would like to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
04 November 2022

A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool update – off-peak lane closure at Windy Harbour junction

Work is progressing well on the A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool project

We need to temporarily close one lane at Windy Harbour junction to undertake construction activities including the removal of street lights and the installation of a new kerb line at this location. This work will take place during off-peak hours only.

We will be closing the northbound lane approaching from the M55 and the westbound lane approaching from Great Eccleston towards Poulton. This means that there will only be one lane available at the junction to turn left from Fleetwood Road onto Garstang New Road and only one lane available on the approach to the lights from Great Eccleston.

This work will start week commencing 7 November and will take approximately five weeks to complete between the hours of 9:30am and 3:30pm.

We have explored alternative methods and closing the lane at this location is the safest option for both motorists and the workforce.
06 October 2022

A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool project - upcoming construction activity on Mains Lane.

We need to make some changes to the road layout on Mains Lane.

We will be switching traffic onto a new section of road next to Old Mains Lane, so we can safely remove the existing Skippool bridge.

The traffic switch will take place overnight week starting Monday 10 October under temporary traffic signals.

We will also need to undertake some surfacing work on Mains Lane during these shifts.

Sheet piling
To construct the remaining section of the bypass, we will need to use sheet piling next to the garage on Mains Lane.

Sheet piling helps build stable foundations for construction work to take place. This involves driving large amounts steel deep into the ground. It is widely used in the construction industry and will not cause any damage to properties, although it can be noisy.

Sheet piling will begin week starting Monday 24 October and take approximately five weeks to complete on days only.

The existing Skippool bridge will be removed during this period.

We will monitor noise and vibration throughout the duration of sheet piling activity and apologise in advance for any disruption that this work may cause.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about this work, please email us at A585windyharbourtoskippool@kier.co.uk or call us on 0300 123 5000 (24 hour).
22 August 2022

Skippool Road and Breck Road overnight closures

Work is progressing well on the A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool project.

We need to put in place some overnight closures on Breck Road and Skippool Road at the junction of Skippool and Wyre roundabout for approximately two weeks, starting 30 August 2022, between 8:40pm and 5:30am. These closures will allow us to safely carry out road surfacing work.

We’ve taken the decision to put these overnight closures in place to minimise disruption in the community as much as possible.

Diversion routes will be in place for both closures and will be clearly signposted. Please plan ahead and allow extra time for your journey. Detailed diversion maps are shown below.

For changes to bus services to Blackpool (2C), please visit Blackpool Transport Breck Road evening closure webpage.
14 July 2022

Upcoming closure of southbound lane at Breck Road

Work is progressing well on our A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool project.

We need to close the southbound lane on Breck Road at the junction of Skippool / Wyre roundabout heading towards Poulton town centre for around six weeks, starting 25 July.

We need this closure to allow us to safely carry out work to install drainage, street signs, kerbing and lighting columns.

We’ve done our best to minimise disruption and have coordinated the closure to take place during school holidays. Closing the road at this location is the safest option.

A diversion route will be in place and will be clearly signposted. Please allow an extra 10 to 15 minutes journey time to complete the diversion route.

For changes to bus services to Blackpool (2C) and Preston (74 & 75), please visit: https://www.blackpooltransport.com/breck-road-closure.

Bus services towards Poulton and Fleetwood won't be affected by the works.
20 June 2022

Come and meet the team! Events on 22, 23, 24 and 25 June

Want to find out more about A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool Project?

Some of our team will be out and about in the community this week, so if you’d like to find out more about the scheme feel free to come and have a chat at the following locations:

Morrisons Supermarket

Amounderness Way

Thornton-Cleveleys

FY5 3TS

Wednesday 22 June and Thursday 23 June

1pm to 7pm

Lidl Supermarket

Clark Street

Poulton Industrial Estate

Poulton-Le-Fylde

FY6 8JW

Friday 24 June

9am to 2pm
25 February 2022

February 2022 newsletter now available

The latest edition of the A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool project newsletter is now available! Don't forget to read about our most recent findings from the archaeology work.

View the newsletter here.
29 November 2021

November newsletter now available

The latest edition of the A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool project newsletter is now available! As we approach Christmas, we’ll be finishing off as much work as possible before closing site for the festive period.

View the newsletter here.
24 August 2021
August newsletter, Skippool Road closure and information exhibitions

The latest edition of the A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool project newsletter is now available! It contains important information on the upcoming closure of Skippool Road.

View the newsletter here.

Information exhibitions

We would like to provide you with the latest information about the planned closure of Skippool Road, the project, and answer any questions you may have. We’re holding public information exhibitions, in our engagement van at:
- Morrisons Supermarket, Amounderness Way,Thornton-Cleveleys FY5 3TS
  Wednesday 1 September 2pm to 8pm
  Wednesday 8 September 2pm to 8pm
- Lidl Supermarket, Clark St, Poulton Industrial Estate, Poulton-Le-Fylde, FY6 8JW
  Thursday 2 September 10am to 4pm
  Thursday 9 September 10am to 4pm
We look forward to seeing you there.
26 May 2021

May newsletter and update

The latest edition of the A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool project newsletter is now available! Since our last update, we’ve been continuing our construction work, and preparing for the next phases.

View our May newsletter here.

See more updates

Project information

Visit our A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool feedback tool to have your say. The tool includes an interactive map. You can click on a location to make a specific comment, or give us your general feedback.

ECHO is a one-way feedback tool, so if you’d like a response to your feedback you can email the project team at: A585WindyHarbourToSkippool@nationalhighways.co.uk

The A585 is the main road in and out of Fleetwood and surrounding areas. It's heavily congested between Windy Harbour and Skippool and drivers currently suffer from significant delays during peak periods. The road also has a poor safety record.

Congestion is particularly severe at the junction with the A586 at Little Singleton and the signalised junction with the A588 at Shard Road. A high number of accidents are reported at these junctions and the volume of traffic is also a concern for local people, pedestrians, equestrians and cyclists.

If we don’t make improvements to this three-mile section of road, it's likely there will be a rise in traffic levels and an increase in the number of accidents and delays to journey times.

We aim to improve:

Reliability: by reducing congestion, especially around Little Singleton, Shard Road and Skippool junctions, which will improve journey times
Socio-economic: by supporting the economic growth potential in both Wyre and Fylde and supporting planned residential developments in the local area
Safety: by improving the safety of pedestrians, equestrians and cyclists around the existing A585

A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool consultation - 21 March 2018 to 8 May 2018

A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool - DCO requirements register

The video below shows how the new scheme will look once it is complete.

The video below shows our November 2020 update and how the scheme will progress.

The video below give you an overview of the project - August 2020.

What is a compulsory purchase?

To build the bypass between Windy Harbour and Skippool, we need to compulsory purchase land for where the new road will go. The power to get this land was given to us when our Development Consent Order was approved in April 2020. Temporary access to other land is also required to allow us to carry out our construction work

Notices to land owners

We’ve issued the required notifications and legal process to the relevant land owners. We need early access to some of the land, and Notices of Intended Entry has also been issued to those landowners and occupiers. We’re now in the process of obtaining title to all land required using a General Vesting Declaration. This is a process that allows land to be directly transferred to Highways England on a set date. We then agree suitable compensation in line with the Compensation Code, which is paid to the land owner. We aim to have this process finalised by the end of February 2021.

Compensation

Most interested parties have appointed agents to act on their behalf. Regular discussions with the agents are being held, ensuring they’re kept updated on the process and finalising any details. Once we have completed the transfer of land, we can then make the initial payment to any affected parties.

If you’re one of the interested parties, you can speed up this process by ensuring your agent has submitted a claim form and a request for an advance payment. Please note that this can be submitted at any time. The initial payment will be less than the final agreed amount, unless this has already been agreed.

Notices for half-width

Notices have been sent to some properties that border the existing A585 on Mains Lane and the surrounding area, as they could be entitled to make a claim in the future.

If the highway adjacent to the property were to be removed, the landowners of nearby properties could make a claim to the land under the highway. This is referred to as the half-width as it is half the width of the road.

This is an extremely unlikely scenario which would require the road to be deemed unnecessary by a court after an application for it to be “stopped up”. We issued notices on these properties as a safeguard in case we were asked by another party to obtain the rights to ground underneath the highway.

At present we do not believe we’ll need to exercise this power. However, we retain the right to do so should it be required for the project to be completed. If we did exercise this power a nominal payment of around £50 would be due to affected properties.

View our documents for further information on compulsory purchase and how to make a claim. Alternatively, if you like to discuss this further, please contact the project team at A585WindyHarbourToSkippool@highwaysengland.co.uk.