After 17 months of roadworks, a major Preston commuter route is finally set to be completed

A ROAD widening scheme on a key route into Preston is finally set for completion this month, after a 17 month wait.
Roadworks on Golden Way A582 are almost finishedRoadworks on Golden Way A582 are almost finished
Roadworks on Golden Way A582 are almost finished

The southern section of the A582 Golden Way in Penwortham, from Cop Lane to the Broad Oak Lane roundabout, has been beset with delays since work first started in October 2014.

Lancashire County Council originally anticipated work would finish in March 2015, but an issue over the transfer of land outside the Brown Hare pub stopped progress.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Work resumed in September 2015 after an agreement was reached with Marstons Brewery, and a new finish date was scheduled for before Christmas.

Now, almost a year after the first deadline, cones are finally been put away. The final steps include new road markings and setting up the new traffic signals.

County Councillor John Fillis, cabinet member for highways and 
transport, said: “This is yet another stage in the process to improve the road infrastructure around Preston and South Ribble to support future growth.

“It’s vital that we have the road network in place to support new homes being built, encourage new businesses and grow our economy.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“This is an exciting time. A lot of work is already taking place and more work is planned to transform the area in the coming years. This will benefit the economy in central Lancashire, as well as other parts of the county, through improved links to other major roads and the national motorway network.”

As well as road dualling, the work has also included installation of a new toucan crossing at the Broad Oak Lane roundabout and a new shared use cycle/footway along Millbrook Way and Cop Lane, linking to the existing cycle facilities at Broad Oak Lane roundabout and Hurst Grange Park.

Funding has come from the £434m City Deal, which aims to improve the road infrastructure in the area, as well as stimulate job creation and house building.

The long-term vision is to have a dual carriageway leading from the M65 at Bamber Bridge into Preston City centre, and as part of that, work to widen the Stanifield Lane/Lostock Lane roundabout up to the Broad Oak roundabout is in planning stages.