Planning application to widen the A582 submitted by Lancashire County Council

It is hoped widening the A582 will increase capacity, improve journey times and reliability, and open up new business opportunities.

The proposals would create a dual-carriageway from Broad Oak roundabout to Stanifield Lane, creating a complete dualled route from the motorway network into the city.

A section of the B5253 Flensburg Way from the Tank Roundabout to Longmeanygate would also become a dual-carriageway.

County Councillor Keith Iddon, Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "It's a major step forward that we're submitting the planning application, and shows that we're working hard to get this road widening done, so that it benefits people who live and work here.

"The A582 is a significant road link between the M65 and Preston city centre. The B5253 provides an important link to Leyland.

"We know that these are busy roads and our aim is to reduce congestion by increasing road capacity, and taking traffic off other local roads and out of built-up areas, so that it improves people's journey times."

A bid for funding for the A582 widening has been approved by the government to move to the next stage of preparatory work.

A formal business case will now be submitted to the government's Major Roads Network programme.

Councillor Bill Evans, South Ribble Borough Council Cabinet Member for Planning, Regeneration and City Deal said, “The widening of the A582 could bring a wealth of benefits to those who travel through the area and will allow for much needed economic growth.

“There is currently a significant funding gap to see this project come to life. While we very much welcome the bid for funding from the Major Roads Programme, more support from the government will ultimately be needed to achieve the full funding levels and we hope this will be recognised.”

A section of the road from the Broad Oak roundabout towards Preston has already been made into a dual-carriageway, as part of an earlier stage of work.

Many junctions along the A582 have also been widened to add capacity.

The widening of the A582 is one of four major road schemes being delivered as part of the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal.

The other schemes are the completed James Towers Way in Broughton, John Horrocks Way in Penwortham, and the Preston Western Distributor, which is under construction.

City Deal is an agreement between the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, Preston City Council, South Ribble Borough Council and Lancashire County Council, along with central government and Homes England.