Controversial plans for a road bridge linking Lostock Hall and Walton-le-Dale have been rekindled.
South Ribble Council has resubmitted plans for the bridge between Carrwood Road and The Cawsey/Leyland Road.
The scheme, which would be built through an old gas works site and over the Preston Junction Local Nature Reserve (PJLNR) and National Cycle Route 55, is to complete the 50-year-old idea of a Cross Borough Link Road (CBLR), aimed at preventing traffic bottle-necking through the centre of Lostock Hall.
Six years ago, when the plans were raised, 1,400 people protested, but the plans were eventually given the green light.
Because 2007 plans were not executed and have expired, they have been resubmitted.
Walton-le-Dale Councillor Graham O’Hare said: “Twenty years ago this idea came up and people were so incensed that they collectively paid for a barrister to take it to public appeal.
“Then six years ago there was a massive furore were 1,400 objections, the biggest number South Ribble has ever had.
“Now, nobody seems to be mentioning it, and there’s 50 or 60 objections. It’s as if people have become disillusioned with it.”
Gail Mawdsley of The Oaks in Walton-le-Dale, has objected.
She said: “Carrwood Road will become a very busy main road and bottle neck as traffic will use this route as a short cut.
“This will not reduce traffic in the South Ribble area, it will cause more traffic jams and accidents as cars are already speeding in 20mph zones.”
The design and access statement states that the CBLR would result in a “significant reduction in traffic at key locations on the local highway network”.
It also states that it will result in less vehicle mileage and will reduce air pollution.
Lostock Hall Councillor Kathleen Beattie said: “I hope they get the road because it would take the pressure off Tardy Gate.
“The traffic through there at the moment is horrendous, and it would benefit everyone if there were more places to park .”
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