'˜Bring back traffic lights to sort congestion' '“ traders

gridlock: Drivers have been waiting more than two hours to get out of city centre

But highways chiefs have given a U-turn the red light, saying a ban on turning right out of Butler Street might do the trick instead.

Gridlock returned over the Bank Holiday weekend in a flashback to the chaos which blighted Christmas shopping. Once again police had to be called in to sort out the mess which left some drivers stuck in queues for more than two hours.

Now bosses from the powerful Business Improvement District (BID) have called for temporary peak period traffic lights to be installed to restore order in the controversial £3.4m “shared space.”

BID say many of their 800 members have suffered as a result of the congestion and have demanded action “with the minimum of delay.”

“We are absolutely committed to seeing improvement measures introduced in the very short term and are continuing to ask LCC to recognise that Preston city centre has an issue with congestion,” said BID chairman John Boydell.

“Local businesses are plainly feeling the pressure. LCC must ensure that a workable solution is implemented soon.”

Daniel Herbert, LCC highway network manager, said: “A lot of work has been taking place to look into this situation and resolve these issues as swiftly as we can. We are currently putting plans together to permanently stop traffic turning right from Butler Street.

“The move aims to help the flow of traffic along Fishergate, especially reducing congestion next to the railway station and Fishergate Shopping Centre, which was a significant problem in the run up to Christmas.”