National Highways has given details of improvements to the A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool bypass after partially opening the road last month.

There is still traffic management in place as we work towards full opening of the bypass, but the company says it has taken significant steps to improve traffic flows and the operation of the new bypass. This includes adjusting the timings of the temporary traffic lights on the approach to Poulton junction and opening new slip roads when urfacing work at various locations is completed.

The contraflow between Windy Harbour and Poulton junction has been removed, meaning that traffic is now running under a 30mph speed limit in single file, on both the east and westbound carriageways. Permanent signals will be switched on by mid-February, which will improve journeys further.

National Highways anticipates that the bypass will become fully operational by the end of February, making use of all four lanes at the national speed limit. Meanwhile a road off the bypass, Mains Lane, will be de-trunked and handed to Lancashire County Council control.

(Picture – National Highways)