Central Lancashire gets £275m transport investment

Date: 13/12/2012

Central Lancashire County Council has outlined plans for the region to receive £275 million in investment in its transport network.

Preston, Chorley and South Ribble will all benefit from the proposals, which will include building a new road to connect Clifton to the M55, as well as completing the Penwortham bypass.

Along with easing congestion on the roads in the area, the council has said that there will be improvements to facilitate walking, cycling and taking buses.

Councillor Tim Ashton said he hopes the changes will lead to more housing and business opportunities in locations where these things have been lacking previously.

He said: "Businesses will only choose to invest in Lancashire if they know their employees and goods can travel efficiently.

"There is huge potential for economic growth in the central Lancashire area and it is essential that people and goods can move around efficiently if we are to make those jobs for local people a reality."

With this in mind, he explained the importance of planning ahead, so that the transport network can cope with any extra demand that is put on it.

This will help to make the case to any businesses thinking of setting up in the region and create the conditions to encourage such moves.

Cottam will receive a new railway station under the plans and priority lanes will be put in place going into Preston for those using public transport, cycling or walking.

Councillor Ashton said: "This master plan seeks to join the dots and identify where on the network future investment will need to be prioritised if our economy is to flourish without creating a negative impact on the way we, and future generations, travel."

In January, a consultation will begin, which is due to run for six weeks prior to the work starting on the transport infrastructure, which is expected to continue transforming services over the next 13 years.

Posted by Nick Anderson

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