Congestion forces bus route changes

Preston Bus announced congestion was causing problems for it’s newly-revised Service 13 (Penwortham Circular) and changes - including dropping stops - were needed “to ensure and reliable and punctual service.”

Longton Parish Council, which is subsidising the 12 (Longton) service, agreed its route could be changed to pick up some Penwortham locations.

The 12 will now operate via Leyland Road, Marshalls Brow, Hill Road South, Cop Lane and Pope Lane on both the inbound and outbound journey. But New Lane, Kingsfold Drive and Studholme Crescent will no longer be served. The service continues to operate to and from Lune Street, Preston, and departure times from both Longton and Lune Street remain unchanged.

Service 13 will not operate via Kingsway and Queensway in Penwortham at peak times due to congestion around the Cop Lane/Liverpool Road junction.

The remaining service 13 journeys that do operate via Kingsway will operate along its full length on both the outbound and inbound journey. Journeys will turn onto Liverpool Road at St Fillans Medical Centre, so Priory Lane will not be served.

On outward journeys, the 13 will turn left at the end of Whitefield Road onto Moor Avenue and then onto Central Drive. The service will no longer loop the northern side of Moor Avenue. The same route will be taken on the return journey.

Coun Graham Gooch, chairman of Longton Parish Council, said: “Our 12 service around Kingsfold wasn’t picking many up because it’s quite well covered by the number three, so we agreed to change to serve Hill Road South instead.

“It was a mutually agreeable thing, and we’re all happy.”