Lancashire County Council has confirmed that the land and funding needed to deliver the route is now in place and “work is underway to let a contract to build the road.”

The scheme will improve access between Lytham St Annes and the M55, relieve congestion on smaller local roads, and support the commercial viability of local housing and business development sites.

Construction information specialist BarbourABI said bidders for the initial earthworks and structures deal include Eric Wright, I&H Brown,Fox (Owmby) Ltd, John Sisk, Galliford Try and AE Yates.

Work to ‘preload’ the ground for the new road will begin in May and construction will follow when the ground has stabilised. The link road project is expected to take around 30 months to complete.

United Utilities and Electricity Northwest have been working at the site since March to protect and divert existing utilities, with this preparation phase expected to be completed in May.

The scheme is one of ten ‘shovel ready’ projects across the county to receive support as part of the Getting Building Fund to speed up construction in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.

County Councillor Keith Iddon, deputy leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “Journey times and reliability are crucial for securing additional investment into this area, and the new link road is key to facilitate future growth of the Fylde coast economy.

“Access from Lytham St Annes to the M55 is currently indirect for most people, with congestion in a number of places where existing roads are already nearing full capacity. I know residents and businesses have been looking forward to this project getting underway for some years.

“Officers are now finalising contracts to allow work to start on site in May and agree a programme for construction.”