01.10.19
£200m road scheme secures final funding
Construction of a major road scheme in Preston has received the necessary funding to get started on work.
The £200m Preston Western Distributor scheme will be constructed on the west side of the city from the M55 motorway connecting to a new junction with Blackpool Road at Lea.
City areas including Fulwood, Ingol, Cottam, Lea and Ashton will feel the most benefits of the new innovation.
It will include a 2.5-mile-long dual carriageway, national speed limit (70mph), with an off highway shared cycleway and footpath.
Due to the fact that the vast majority of the land is used as farmland or for equestrian purposes, there are no residential building affected.
Funding for these new roads is coming from the Department for Transport, City Deal, Highways England and the Lancashire Growth Deal.
The thousands of homes in the Northwest Preston Strategic Housing Site development will also have a new connection to the road with the construction of two new roads.
The new roads will result in additional capacity and aid the reduction of congestion and queuing on key sections of the road network.
Baroness Vere, Roads Minister, said:
“Getting stuck in traffic is hugely frustrating for motorists, and creates poor air quality for those living and working in the area.
“That’s why I am delighted that work will start very soon on this transformative road scheme, which will not only save motorists time, but will also benefit the wider community through new jobs, more homes, and better air quality.”
Preliminary work is underway and is due to start later this year with opening of the scheme forecasted for 2023.
County Councillor Geoff Driver CBE, leader of Lancashire County Council, said:
"This is a major new road scheme that will significantly improve access around the city, as well as creating a new connection onto the national motorway network.
"We're delighted that the government has confirmed the final funding that we need to deliver these roads. We can now commence the construction work very soon.
"This road scheme will open up new business opportunities, improve access to existing and proposed housing sites and reduce congestion on other parts of the network by providing more options for how people can get around."
The Preston Western Distributor Scheme is part of the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal.