‘Vital’ money given green light to ease Blackpool congestion

Mr Webb said: “I have been lobbying hard to secure this vital money for the transformation of the town centre, so I am delighted we have been able to approve this.

“Our current infrastructure does not account for the level of traffic we are currently seeing and with an additional 4,000 officers coming into the city centre, we need to make these improvements.

“The scheme will also improve pedestrian access to support the increased foot traffic in the city center that is essential for our high streets.”

Blackpool Council agreed to contribute £1.7 million to the project, representing 10% of the total cost.

Detailed plans have not yet been drawn up but the work is expected to include improving key road junctions to avoid congestion in the city center and encouraging more environmentally friendly travel such as buses, footpaths and cycleways.

It will also support regeneration, including a new public service center opening on King Street next year, further office development proposed on Talbot Road and a multi-university education campus earmarked for a site off Cookson Street.

The project also aims to create environmental improvements in terms of air quality and support the introduction of electric buses.