Lancashire County Council has made an Order Under Section 14(1) (a) of the Road traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended, the effect will be to temporarily prohibit traffic on the roads to set out this Order.
Full details of the TTRO can be found here.
The road closure, indicated by the road closure signs shown on the diagram below (or via the link above ), will be in place on Poulton Street from 7am on Monday 27th November until 5pm on Sunday 10th December to carry out essential works under the Kirkham Public Realm Scheme.
The upcoming road closure has been planned at this time to avoid unnecessary disruption during the Christmas period. As we near the completion of the new carriageway alignment, space for road traffic and construction plant becomes constricted, particularly when considering resurfacing activities and at various pinch points around the junction of Preston Street and Freckleton Street. It has become necessary to close the highway to maintain safe distances from traffic. Alongside this, it has also been found that some areas of Poulton Street do not have a suitable depth of construction to support the new surfacing, and additional works have been instructed to address this.
During the road closure Eric Wright Civil Engineering will work in the highway without the constraints brought about by working in-and-around the high street. It is the intention to complete narrowing works alongside intrusive investigation works during the first week of the closure with the carriageway reconstruction following in the second week.
The decision to close the highway at this time of year has been a difficult one to make. By taking this action now, we are enabling large sections of the works to be completed in advance of the build up to Christmas and reducing the need for the extensive traffic management which has been in place in Kirkham for a number of months. We are certain that if we had delayed undertaking these works until January, the traffic management and associated safety barriers would have remained in place broadly in its current arrangement up to and throughout the entire Christmas period.
It is expected that the street scene in Kirkham will be much more open and inviting from Monday 11th December following removal of the road closure. We hope that this will encourage visitors and shoppers to visit Kirkham in the run up to Christmas. Some paving and landscaping works will continue in Kirkham until late January 2024, however these will be in isolated locations and will have significantly less impact on the town.
Two-way temporary traffic lights will be in place on Church Street to accommodate access to the Church, School, and residents
Access to Church Street should be from Preston Street via the two-way lights which will be in place.
There will be no through route along Poulton Street from Freckleton Street and Preston Street. Traffic approaching from this direction expecting to get onto Poulton Street will be turned away.
Access to Church Street will not be available from the West/Freckleton Street with no through route along Poulton Street.
Access to Birley Street should be from the West of Poulton Street.
Access to Poulton Street from Mill Street up to the Junction with Kirkgate will be available throughout the two-week road closure for deliveries and for parking and access to businesses in this area. This will be controlled access.
Please note There will be no access to Kirkgate from Poulton Street.
Eric Wright Civil Engineering will assist wherever possible with deliveries during the closure although the area will be strictly access only.
Lancashire County Council have published the following suggested diversion Routes to the bus companies operating in the area. Please click here
Bus users MUST check changes to timetables and diversion routes prior to travel.
You can contact Stagecoach Travel on 0345 241 8000 between 8:00 and 18:00 from Monday to Friday and between 09:00 and 17:00 Saturday and Sunday. You can also visit the website at www.stagecoachbus.com
You can also contact Blackpool Transport on 01253 473001 between 11 am and 3 pm, email enquiries@blackpooltransport.com or visit www.blackpooltransport.com
Alternatively,please visit www.lancashire.gov.uk for changes to bus services and diversions during this period.
Access to Mill Street Car Park, Kirkham Community Centre Car Park and Morrisons will remain available throughout the works and all car parks remain open.
Access to the carpark at the rear of Kirkgate will be via the signed diversions in place.
Answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the ongoing works are now available on the Kirkham Futures website.
You can also keep up to date with all the latest news on the Kirkham Public Realm Scheme and wider Kirkham Futures programme including further information in the following ways:
Eric Wright Contacts
Eric Wrights temporary site offices are located at the Eagles Court car park to the rear of the Market Square shops.
Project Manager, Dave Bagley, is available by prior appointment and can be contacted via the following email address daveb@ericwright.co.uk
Ian Rogers is the site Foreman and available on site everyday email ianr@ericwright.co.uk
The site contact number for general enquiries is 07971361836
Kirkham's Christmas Market 2023 will go ahead as usual on the High Street prior to the main road closure and will operate under its own temporary road closure.
The event will run from 9.30amuntil 7pm on Saturday 25thNovember starting at the junction of Town End and ending at the junction with Market Square with events also happening at the United Reformed Church and St Michaels Church.
Access will remain open to free carparks at Mill Street and Kirkham Community Centre and Morrisons throughout the event.
