Traffic chaos between Preston and Blackpool as diverted M55 motorists are held up by empty 'Covid cycle lanes'

The A583 between Preston and Blackpool is suffering from severe congestion as the M55 remains closed due to a fatal crash overnight.

But diverted motorists are facing further delays due to the pop-up cycle lanes along sections of the A583 between Preston and Kirkham.

Traffic along Riversway in Preston is particularly slow-moving due to the road being reduced to just one lane to make space for the temporary 'Covid' cycle lane.

The 16-mile road linking the city with Blackpool is the only route open to motorists since the M55 remains closed after a fatal crash near Kirkham last night.

The volume of traffic travelling along the A583 due to the motorway closure is severe in both directions, but appears to be worse for those heading into Preston.

The pop-up cycle lanes have been a source of frustration for commuters and residents in the Riversway area of Preston since they were introduced last month.

The lanes have been introduced along the A583 Riversway and Watery Lane between Nelson Way and Strand Road, with two lanes narrowed to one in each direction.

Lancashire County Council said the lanes were put in place as an emergency temporary measure. It said the initiative was adopted following guidance from central Government, with the cycle lanes intended to take pressure of public transport by encouraging people to cycle to work.

But the Council has come under fire after an outpouring of complaints from motorists, residents and local councillors who say the new lanes are not being used enough to justify the disruption to traffic.

It has led to calls for them to be removed, as school traffic recommences and more people return to offices following lockdown.

Last week, Lancashire County Council said it would review the Riversway cycle lane following a surge in complaints.

A Council spokesman said: "We’re monitoring the situation on the roads particularly closely as schools go back and traffic levels return to near-normal levels, as we expect some issues may emerge due to people’s travel habits having changed in response to the virus, and we may need to make some changes to transport as a result.

"In some places the pop-up lanes do reduce the road space available for vehicles, and we recognise the need to balance the needs of all road users.

"We are monitoring their usage and keeping them under review in case we need to make any changes."