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Transport policy
Last Modified March 12, 2020

Supporting Blackpool's economy

Blackpool Council aims to control congestion, improve the public realm, reduce pollution and decrease accidents on the town's roads
by managing traffic effectively, working with local transport operators and agencies, making Blackpool better for residents and
businesses. Effective transport systems are essential to the resort's economy and vital to its regeneration, particularly as new
developments including the Winter Gardens conference centre and the Blackpool Central project come on stream.
Up to 18 million visits per year are made to enjoy the town's attractions, coming from from all over the country and beyond, for which
reason the resort needs high quality access to national transport networks. On arrival, visitors must have excellent gateways to
encourage repeat visits and investment.
A local transport plan implementation strategy document [PDF 292 KB] explains what the council's transport policies are. The current
plan will be in force between 2018 and 2021. The strategy addresses the needs of all transport modes and their users. Also, the
council has worked with Lancashire County Council to develop a fylde coast transport masterplan [PDF 2.08MB].
It is challenging to fit all the facilities that are needed ‐ bus stops, taxi ranks, on‐street parking, cycle parking, loading bays, pedestrian
crossings etc ‐ into what is a densely built‐up place.

Maintaining highways assets

The Local Transport Plan programme (LTP) includes schemes to repair roads, footpaths and bridges to the value of resources available
of around £1 million per annum. These have been insufficient to prevent decline in recent years. In response, a programme called
Project 30 using prudential borrowing to fund repairs to roads and footpaths was delivered. The council continues to look for extra
money to pay for repairs.
Traffic lights are managed under the Community Lighting Partnership. Any faults with traffic lights or pedestrian/cycle crossings can
be reported here. The Local Transport Plan apportions resources to upgrade road junctions and traffic control systems.
A bid to the government's Local Highways Challenge Fund to repair the resort's bridges was successful. Together with Local
Growth Deal money, controlled by the Lancashire Economic Partnership (LEP), this has enabled an £11.365 million programme to
bring seven strategic bridges to a good standard. While this programme has now been completed, efforts to secure resources for
further work to secure the town's bridges continue.
The council was successful in obtaining government National Productivity Investment Fund resources to maintain further sections of
the vital Yeadon Way highway, making £3,350,000 available to spend on important repairs. The work is being carried out over the
winter of 2019/20. The road will reopen for the 2020 tourism season from Spring Bank Holiday.
Government occasionally makes additional funding available to repair pot holes or respond to the damage that severe winter weather
can cause. An additional highways maintenance allocation of £532,000 was made available in the October 2018 budget, which the
council has incorporated into its programmes to keep highways assets to an acceptable standard.
The council has worked with Lancashire County Council to develop a Rights of Way Improvement Plan [PDF 880KB] . This runs
between 2015 and 2025.
Encouraging sustainable development
Good transport links to the wider economy are crucial to encouraging inward investment in Blackpool. Residents and businesses need
good access to workplaces, shops, schools, education, health care and roads or public transport services to neighbouring towns.
When any large developments are proposed in Blackpool, the council assesses what transport arrangements will be made
throughout the duration of the works and after they have finished.

Public realm improvement

The council is working with the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership to implement the town centre quality corridors scheme, which has
improved the town centre public realm. Church Street, Cookson Street, Dickson Road, Topping Street, Edward Street,
Deansgate and Talbot Road were identified as priority areas for this investment of Local Growth Deal and LTP resources.
Church Street works were completed during 2017, with work on Cookson Street, Caunce Street and Dickson Road completed in
the autumn of 2018. Trees were planted and additional street furniture installed early in 2019. Work in Edward Street and Deansgate
was completed late in 2019. The Talbot Road scheme phase has been integrated with the tramway extension scheme on the same
corridor considerably improving the latter's appearance in preparation for the new tram service starting between the railway station,
the Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Bispham.
The town centre quality corridors programme will finish in the spring of 2020 when works in Deansgate/Topping and Edward Street
are finished, followed by any completion works. In addition to public realm, public artwork and highway surfacing improvements, this
project also includes the Blackpool Property Improvement Fund intended to finance shop front improvements, subject to approval
and a match funding contribution. At the time of writing, properties in Talbot Road, Topping Street and Deansgate have been
improved, with more to come.

Supporting transport innovation

Blackpool Council and Lancashire County Council have worked together to renew the tramway from Blackpool to nearby town
Fleetwood, enabling a fleet of 18 modern 'Flexity 2' trams to help people travel between Fylde Coast destinations.
Heritage trams continue to use the system, providing a service for tourists and enthusiasts and making a fine sight as they ply the
promenade.
The two councils have collaborated to extend this system, benefiting the entire Fylde Coast. The Blackpool Tramway Extension
Scheme, connecting the tramway to Blackpool North railway station from the promenade, is on site at the time of writing. The
Lancashire Enterprise Partnership has provided funding. This scheme will improve public transport access to Blackpool's seafront
hotels and attractions, particularly the Pleasure Beach, and connect the North Fylde to the national rail network. It provides an
essential public transport link between the developing Blackpool Central Business District and the wider area. The tramway extension
will provide a valuable light rail complement to the bus network and can help reduce congestion and parking pressures on the town
centre.
The Fylde Coast councils have been partners within the SINTROPHER (Sustainable Integrated Tram‐Based Transport Options for
Peripheral European Regions) project, providing 7.2m Euro from the European Union Interreg IVB initiative to study ways in which the
tramway might be extended. This concluded that a scheme to initially extend the tramway to Blackpool North railway station should
be pursued and it has proved possible to do this.
A second phase SINTROPHER project headed by Lancashire County Council with Blackpool Council's support, has considered how the
South Fylde Line (heavy rail) might be improved to best meet the Fylde Coast's regeneration needs. This single‐track line provides a
vital local rail service and brings many visitors to Blackpool from East Lancashire, to the extent that there has been over‐crowding on
the trains. The study's conclusions are available on the SINTROPHER website.
Considering road traffic, new traffic flow management technology can help to reduce congestion, pollution and accommodate the
traffic growth that is likely to follow from economic regeneration, including growing town centre employment. In addition to rolling
measures to improve and fine‐tune existing traffic control systems, two integrated schemes have been implemented for which
external funding has been awarded following successful council bids. Variable message signage is now directing drivers to the car park
spaces that are available and Bluetooth technology to monitor and manage traffic flows is in use.
The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership has granted approval for Local Growth Deal resources to fund a Blackpool Integrated Traffic
Management Scheme. This uses a sophisticated parking guidance system that operates variable message signing to reduce wasteful
car park search trips and thus lessen network congestion, particularly within the important Promenade public realm area. This came
into operation early in 2018 and is anticipated to make a significant visitor economy contribution during its life time.
The partner Department for Transport funded scheme has complemented the Integrated Traffic Management Scheme, enabling
a state of the art traffic guidance and queue management systems to be installed, to reduce congestion across the resort. This
project has been completed, its technology gathering information to be used to improve traffic flow around the town. The council is
continuing to work within the government's Transport Technology Forum intent upon promoting digital traffic management
technology, particularly SMART parking guidance. This is a continuing process to maximise technology's benefits to the Blackpool
community.
The council is also working with the Transport for the North organisation in support of its Integrated and Smart Travel project, seeking
to enhance public transport information and promote smart travel, including smart cards for rail.

Supporting local public transport

Blackpool benefits from a high‐quality bus network. The council's intention is to increase the number of residents and visitors using
the bus, in line with the Local Transport Plan. Services are provided by Blackpool Transport Services, Stagecoach Bus, Coastal
Coaches and Catch22 Bus. Timetables, useful smartphone apps and other information can be found on these companies'
sites, including bus service real time information. Stagecoach Bus is now operating contactless card payments on its vehicles, removing
the need for change.
The PlusBus system offers seamless interchange between rail and bus/tram services. Simply ask for the Plus Bus add on when you
purchase your train ticket, or take up the prompt if buying on line or via an operator's app. This offer is for both bus and tram. Soon
the tramway will come right to the railway station's door and with PlusBus the passenger will be able to transfer smoothly from train
to tram for their onward journey.
More people commuting by public transport means less congestion, less air pollution and an improved environment, including for
cyclists and pedestrians. The vehicles, services and payment options are in place to make this happen. Together with more people
cycling, this is becoming more important to combat air pollution.
The council always keeps town centre bus stop arrangements under review. A transport hub focused on Market and Corporation
Street with good service information was completed late in 2019. These works have allowed buses to be removed from Clifton Street
and be better focused in the transport hub area, making it easier to find the right bus.
The council recognises the important role taxis and private hire vehicles play in supporting the visitor and night‐time economies. The
role landaus play in providing promenade pleasure trips is also acknowledged. Regular dialogue occurs between representatives of the
trade and council officers concerning network and ranking issues, ensuring that appropriate ranks are available. Taxis and private hire
vehicles reduce the need for car ownership for the occasional car user. They provide an essential link between transport hubs, hotels
and attractions.
Blackpool Transport Services has recently re equipped with Euro 6 emissions standards compliant 'Palladium' branded vehicles, which
offer a very high ride quality and passenger environment.
Public transport offers a real alternative to car for commuting purposes for many, particularly if discounted season products are used,
which may be purchased using operators' smartphone apps. The council seeks to encourage further bus use as this would ease peak
time town centre congestion and pressure on parking. As town centre employment grows and more people inevitably drive in,
highway and parking resources will be managed carefully. Town centre focused employment means that rail may be a more viable
commuting option for many, particularly as new and more spacious trains are brought into service during 2020.

Supporting coach
The coach industry continues to bring many people to the resort and this is valued. Drop off and pick up facilities are provided at the
Central car park site, which also accommodates year round scheduled National Express services.
Coach parking locations are identified in the parking services section of this site.
The need for new and better coach facilities is kept under ongoing review. Given that parts of the railway network are often closed at
the resort's peak bank holiday periods, coach can provide an alternative to trains for visitors who do not drive and seek value for
money travel to Blackpool's attractions.
The VisitBlackpool website provides advice to coach passengers and coach operators.
Supporting cycling
Blackpool has several cycle routes. Cycling on the Promenade is a popular activity, particularly using the Jubilee Cycleway to the North.
This route and others are intended for leisure and commuting cycling at low speeds and not racing, training or other fast riding,
particularly as pedestrians including children are also using this space. With recent sea wall works at Anchorsholme now complete, it is
possible to cycle with care all the way between Starr Gate and Fleetwood on the Promenade.
Cycling is permitted in all town centre areas, with care and indicated by cycle symbol 'flags' let into the ground.
Minor works for cycling can be funded from the Local Transport Plan programme, including cycle parking. The council is working with
Lancashire councils to establish cycling and walking plans in line with Government policy.
The council has worked with Northern Railway to provide cycle parking at Layton station. Northern Railway has provided excellent
covered cycle storage at Blackpool North railway station.

Supporting rail
Around a million visitors arrive by train each year and summer services can be crowded. Following the North Fylde Line's
electrification over the winter of 2017/18, electric trains now provide three of the four regular hourly services. The York service now
benefits from the class 195 diesel train with its far superior facilities compared with its predecessors. These will complete their
introduction over 2020.
Since April 2016, Northern Railway has provided services at Blackpool North and Blackpool South stations. The company's franchise
requires it to provide direct services to Manchester Airport, Manchester stations, Liverpool, York and Preston/Colne (South Fylde
Line). This company's website provides all timetable information.
Following completion of the North Fylde line's electrification in the spring of 2018, three daily return journeys between London
Euston and Blackpool North railway station were restored. A train was renamed 'Blackpool Belle'. These services joined the early
morning service already in place. The resort also benefits from a one‐way Saturday morning service from Birmingham. Avanti West
Coast assumed the West Coast Partnership franchise from December 2019 and continued the three direct London services.
The Grand Central 'open access operator' is proposing to operate six daily electric train services from Blackpool to London from May
2020, calling at Poulton‐le‐Fylde, Kirkham and Wesham, Preston, Nuneaton and Milton Keynes.
Access to London, Scotland, the West Midlands and other large conurbations is recognised as a key consideration for those who might
invest in Blackpool. The council is keen to see improvements to the Preston hub railway station, as so many people change trains there
to come to the resort. It is also seeking direct trains to Scotland, which the resort has lost.
Rail infrastructure operator, Network Rail, completed North Fylde Line electrification in the early part of 2018. A new timetable from
May 2019, included restoration of the direct Blackpool‐York service, which had been truncated at Preston requiring passengers to
change. The December 2019 timetable change saw new electric and diesel trains introduced on Blackpool services. There are
currently direct service corridors to Manchester Airport, Hazel Grove, Liverpool, York, Colne and London Euston. A Sunday service
terminates at Manchester Victoria. These and intervening stops provide a wide range of interchange opportunities.
The council lobbies the railway industry for more rail investment. It is a member of the West Coast Rail 250 group, which has been
instrumental in improving the vital West Coast Main‐line, bringing visitors from Scotland, the south and connecting the resort's
businesses to London. The council is a stakeholder in the Transport for the North organisation, which is looking at new strategic
transport links for the entire north, together with technology based transport solutions.
The council supports the South Fylde Line Community Rail Partnership.

Supporting equality
Transport policy promotes equality and helps people to participate in society. An LTP strategy equalities impact assessment has been
prepared and is available to view on request.

Contact

Blackpool Council transport policy

PO Box 17, Blackpool, FY1 1LZ

Telephone 01253 476172/01253 476173//01253 476176
Email transport.policy@blackpool.gov.uk

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