And, while regular city-goers may bemoan the seemingly-constant roadworks and building projects going on these days, rest assured that ‘twas always thus, as demonstrated by these incredible pictures.
I hardly recognise these retro scenes of Preston in various states of ruin and regeneration, they are shocking. They also feature countless buildings now wiped clean from the face of the cityscape.
Take a look and see if you can remember them...
21. Demolished Preston
Peering into the staked-off mouth of a long hidden well revealed on a Preston demolition site in Moor Lane lorry park in 1971 Photo: Roy Payne
22. Demolished Preston
A scene of desolation at Preston Railway Station in 1974 as Platforms 10 to 12 - those lines which took train passengers to all points in East Lancashire - were ripped up and their stone and steel sold for scrap Photo: National World
23. Demolished Preston
Demolition of an old power station in Preston back in 1973 Photo: National World
24. Demolished Preston
All that was left of the Palladium, Church Street in Preston, after demolition work in 1969. It was bought by Preston Corporation in 1968 so it could be bulldozed to make way for a service road to the Guild Hall complex Photo: National World