The timetable for Highways England’s Windy Harbour to Skippool scheme has been launched, detailing work over the next year.

The project involves building a new bypass south of the existing road through Little Singleton and improving the junctions at Windy Harbour.

The project started in March this year, but most of the work so far has involved archaeological investigations and ground surveys.

Work between now and November 2022 includes;

• Skippool junction: January 2020 to March 2021 – phased removal of traffic islands the existing junction roundabout;
• Skippool Bridge and Skippool Bridge junction: January to August 2021 – preparations for the installation of a new bridge north of the existing one and utilities diversion works;
• Between Mains Lane and Garstang Road East: November 2020 to October 2021 – the first significant ‘off-line’ work away from the existing A585 along the route of the new bypass with drainage and embankment construction;
• Poulton junction: November 2020 to November 2022 – further ‘off-line’ work along the route of the new bypass with the construction of the new Poulton junction with existing Garstang Road East;
• Garstang Road East to Lodge Lane: November 2020 to October 2021 – excavations of the new bypass carriageway and the construction of an embankment near Garstang Road;
• Lodge Lane bridge: March to July 2021 – work on a new bridge to carry existing Lodge Lane over the new bypass;
• Lodge Lane to Windy Harbour junction: November 2020 to April 2021 – utilities diversion followed by embankment construction a long a key section of the project where the new bypass links to the existing A585.

Highways Englands said it had changed its strategy on communicating to the public because of continuing restrictions around the Covid-19 outbreak.

Highways England senior project manager Jon Stokes said:“We’d always prefer to give people the opportunity to pop into a public information event and meet us face-to-face. As that’s not possible for now we’ve decided to enhance what’s available online and encourage people to find out more there.

“Work to deliver this important new bypass – which will tackle congestion and support new homes and jobs in this part of the county – will be ramping up in the new year and we’ll become far more visible.”

Instead, enhanced online information for the project update has gone ‘live’ on the project webpage today and includes a new video setting out the benefits of the new road for drivers as well as major improvements for cyclists and pedestrians along the existing A585 once it has been bypassed by the new dual carriageway. The video also explains Highways England’s commitment to protecting the environment as well measures to minimise noise and disruption during the construction.