A major public consultation on a £275m package of measures which aims to transform the transport network across central Lancashire has been launched.
Lancashire County Council wants residents to have a say on the huge plan which highways chiefs hope will reduce congestion on major roads across Preston, South Ribble and Chorley over the next 15 years.
The Highways and Transport Master Plan for Central Lancashire was unveiled in the Evening Post in December
The proposals include:
A new road linking the M55 near Bartle with the A583/584 near Clifton to support the development of new housing.
The completion of the Penwortham Bypass with a direct link between the A582 Broad Oak roundabout and A59 west of Penwortham.
Capacity upgrades to accommodate more traffic along the A582 between Cuerden and the A59 at Penwortham.
Improvements to rail stations at Preston, Leyland and Chorley to make them more attractive and expand capacity, and a new ‘parkway’ station to serve North West Preston would be pursued at Cottam.
More space to be given over to pedestrians and cyclists in areas such as Seven Stars, Hough Lane and Towngate, Tardy Gate, Bamber Bridge, Penwortham, Lane Ends, Broughton, Ribbleton Lane and New Hall Lane.
These improvements are at the heart of the recently reported City Deal bid, centred on Preston, which would see cash and decision-making power handed to the area to provide a boost to the city and bring benefits across the county.
The public consultation began this week and will close on February 25. Leaflets and questionnaires will be distributed and public exhibitions will be held across the three districts.
County Coun Tim Ashton, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “It is absolutely critical that we upgrade the transport network in Central Lancashire so that we remain competitive as a region and to make sure we can cope with the extra demands caused by the expected increase in housing and jobs.
“By 2026, we expect that Central Lancashire will see an extra 22,200 homes built.”
The first of the five consultation events will be in Cottam, Preston, on Wednesday, January 30. More information on the events and an online survey is available at www.lancashire.gov.uk. Search for Local Transport Plan on the A-Z.
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