Government Confirms Funding for Blackpool Town Centre Congestion Scheme

The government has approved ambitious plans designed to address town centre congestion in Blackpool. This initiative, known as the £17m Town Centre Access Scheme, had previously encountered an uncertain outlook, even though the prior government had designated £15.3m in Levelling Up funding for it. Leaders at Blackpool Council had cautioned that the project might not be finished by the March 2026 deadline, which was the stipulated timeframe for expending the funds, thereby jeopardizing the investment. However, Chris Webb, the Member of Parliament for Blackpool South, has now received official confirmation from Alex Norris, the minister for local growth, stating that the necessary funding has been incorporated into the Budget. Mr. Webb commented: “I have been lobbying hard to secure this money which is vital for the transformation of the town centre so I am delighted we are able to confirm it.“Our existing infrastructure does not take into account the level of traffic we are seeing now, and with an additional 4,000 civil servants coming into the town centre we need to make these improvements.“The scheme will also improve pedestrian access to support increasing footfall in the town centre which is essential for our high streets.” Blackpool Council has committed to contributing £1.7m towards the project, which constitutes 10% of its overall cost. While specific plans are still pending development, the work is anticipated to encompass enhancements to crucial road junctions to alleviate town centre congestion and promote more sustainable modes of transport, including buses, footpaths, and cycleways. Furthermore, the initiative will support regeneration efforts, such as the upcoming civil service hub scheduled to open next year on King Street, additional office development planned for Talbot Road, and the multiversity education campus designated for a location off Cookson Street. The project additionally seeks to achieve environmental enhancements concerning air quality and to facilitate the deployment of electric buses.