Eric Wright Civil Engineering, which is part of the Bamber Bridge based Eric Wright Group, is delivering £2.3m of roadway improvements to Yeadon Way, on one of the main tourist routes into Blackpool.
Since work started on site in November the project team has been focused on maximising efficiency and delivering improvements to the critical infrastructure in the minimum amount of time. The scheme is expected to be completed by May, in good time for the main influx of visitors to the town.
Yeadon Way is a single lane, two-way elevated carriageway, which passes over five road and two pedestrian bridges. It was built in 1986 on the route of the Marton to Blackpool Central railway line which opened in 1903 and closed in 1965. It is named after the legendary County Surveyor of Lancashire Harry Yeadon who masterminded the construction of the motorway network in the north west of England.
Over the last thirty years the road has experienced settlement of the pavement and movement of the concrete safety barriers, a consequence of the legacy of the original railway embankment construction.
Commenting on the project Gavin Hulme, Operations Director for Eric Wright Civil Engineering said: “The existing roadway had been showing inevitable signs of wear and tear. We are delighted to have been appointed to deliver the programme to improve Yeadon Way and are working closely with Blackpool Council to minimise traffic disruption into the town centre and South Shore during the 28-week delivery programme.”
“As well as creating an improved road surface we are delivering a solution to ensure it has a long and maintenance free life. It will improve the experience for visitors arriving in Blackpool and for local residents who use the road daily. Yeadon Way is a main route into the town that every year attracts over 18m visitors each year, 70 % arriving by car. It is important for the economic success of the town that Yeadon Way is built to last in order to minimise journey times and delays now and in the future.”
As part of the delivery programme Eric Wright Civil Engineering is aiming to reuse up to 75% of the existing fill material, preventing 14,000m³ of material from going to landfill and eliminating 3000 lorry movements. The project will also stabilise the existing embankments and replace the road pavement, safety barriers, road drainage and street furniture along a 2.3km stretch of the western end of Yeadon Way.
Blackpool Council’s long-term plans are to remediate the full length of the road, including the embankment and the road itself.
Commenting on the works Cllr Fred Jackson, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for highways, said: “Work is well under way on Yeadon Way and we are really pleased with the progress so far. The work that is being carried out is essential and without it we would risk losing a key route into the town. It’s great to see that the efficient management of the project is paying off with the repair works being on schedule and within budget. We would like to thank motorists, residents and local business owners for their continued patience while we carry out this essential work.”
Eric Wright Civil Engineering is undertaking road improvements on the A57 in Manchester, building the replacement Pooley Bridge Ullswater, enhancing flood defences in Rotherham, and in Chester the team is also undertaking a programme to restore the City’s famous Northgate Steps on the City Walls.