Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone is continuing to see significant progress, with major infrastructure projects nearing completion and further development underway to help businesses grow and create new jobs for the Fylde coast.
Blackpool Council’s Executive is being recommended to continue its commitment to spending £54m to expand the Enterprise Zone, creating more jobs for Blackpool and Fylde residents as well as the wider Fylde coast, at its next meeting on 16 March.
A major milestone is approaching with the completion of Vickers Way, a new access road due to open this spring. This follows the remodelling works on Common Edge Road which were successfully completed last month. Once fully open the new route will improve access and traffic flow to the Enterprise Zone and surrounding areas.
These improvements are also part of a wider programme of infrastructure investment designed to unlock prime development land, allowing businesses to grow and creating valuable job opportunities for local residents.
There has already been significant interest in the land, with enquiries from businesses that could bring over 150 jobs to the site. This would further add to the economic impact the Enterprise Zone is already delivering, with 2,700 jobs created so far across the development.
The Silicon Sands project is continuing to move forward, designed to position Blackpool as a major location for digital and advanced technology businesses. The tender process to appoint a development partner for the first exemplar data centre is currently underway, with a preferred developer expected to be announced later this year.
Further investment has been made by Electricity North West who are building a new £5m primary substation, providing 32MVA of green electricity to Silicon Sands. This will help ensure the Enterprise Zone has the capacity to support major new developments in the future.
Work is also continuing on the Airport East road, which will be complete later this year to further improve access and enable future phases of growth.
Cllr Mark Smith, Blackpool Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Built Environment, said:
“The Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone continues to go from strength to strength.
“Our investment in new roads and infrastructure like Common Edge Road and Vickers Way is opening up much needed space for development, helping businesses grow and creating valuable job opportunities for local people.
“With major projects like Silicon Sands moving forward this year, the Enterprise Zone will continue to be a key driver of economic growth for Blackpool and the wider Fylde Coast.”
