Long traffic jams reported on Fishergate

Shoppers are reporting serious traffic problems in Preston's city centre this afternoon.
Photo Neil Cross
Traffic on Corporation Street and Fishergate, PrestonPhoto Neil Cross
Traffic on Corporation Street and Fishergate, Preston
Photo Neil Cross Traffic on Corporation Street and Fishergate, Preston

Jams have been reported on Fishergate, while other drivers have reported long delays getting out of the St George’s Centre car park.

Driver Andrew Ashcroft tweeted: “Stuck on Level 3 of St George’s Centre car park. Approaching one hour now. Last time we shop in Preston!”

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Another motorist reported: “There is queuing traffic on Fishergate, Lune Street, Winckley Square past the entrance to Avenham Park, Corporation Street, Ring Rd etc etc #chaos.”

Preston’s Fishergate area has been the scene of several gridlocks, most recently on the May Bank Holiday weekend, when some drivers were stuck in the St George’s Centre car park for two hours.

Drivers and city centre traders have blamed the new ‘shared space’ road layout, but this week highways bosses at Lancashire County Council said drivers who ignore the road signage are to blame.

Vehicles have been banned from turing right out of Butler Street to access Corporation Street, in an attempt to ease traffic problems. In addition the lower section of Fishergate is now restricted to just buses and delivery vehicles.

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But, although County Hall bosses say the new measures are having a positive impact on queues, they are concerned some drivers are still turning right and affecting the flow of traffic.

“We’ve been monitoring the situation at various times of day and some drivers are still turning right, in breach of the traffic order,” revealed Daniel Herbert, Lancashire County Council’s highway network manager.