£1m makeover for Broughton after the bypass

A £1m PLAN has been unveiled to improve the centre of a Lancashire village which is notorious as a traffic bottleneck.
County Coun John FillisCounty Coun John Fillis
County Coun John Fillis

Broughton, near Preston, will be given the makeover once the long awaited Broughton by-pass road is completed.

Proposals include the removal of traffic signals at Broughton crossroads, the creation of larger footways, courtesy crossings, a dedicated Guild Wheel cycle lane and tree planting.

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The changes will also see roads narrowed and a 20mph speed limit through the village.

County Coun John Fillis, cabinet member for highways and transport has just given the go ahead for the project, which the council says will be possible because of an estimated reduction in traffic by up to 90% once the £24m bypass opens next year.

Marcus Hudson, County Council planning manager, said: “The aim is to create a safer and more attractive environment in the village for road users, cyclists and pedestrians and discourage unnecessary through-traffic. One of the key changes includes making a new dedicated two-way cycle track along Garstang Road, which will become part of the Guild Wheel between the village and the church.”

Weight limits on vehicles will also be introduced along the main Garstang Road on sections between bypass junctions.

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Mr Hudson added: “Once the bypass has opened, we’ll be making changes to the roads, footways and provision for public transport in the centre of Broughton - around the crossroads and along the A6. The substantial reduction in traffic levels through the village will take away the need for the existing traffic lights at the crossroads and near King George’s Field, so these will be removed as part of the overall improvements. A new road layout, with fewer vehicles and lower speeds, will make it much easier for people to get across the crossroads.”

He said the bypass project would: “help journey times, improve air quality in the village and provide welcome relief to local people from decades of congestion.”