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Route for major road scheme in Lancashire to be protected

Lancashire County Council is proposing to confirm and protect the route for a major new road linking Preston and southern Fylde to the M55.

The council held a six-week consultation during the summer on its preferred route for a 4km-long dual carriageway known as the Preston Western Distributor (PWD), and associated link roads which support future housing and business sites.

The roads are a key element of plans to support new development and economic growth outlined in Lancashire County Council’s Highways and Transport Masterplan for the area, and one of four major highway schemes to receive funding under the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal.

The PWD will support planned housing in north-west Preston, improve access to the new Enterprise Zone in Warton, and provide an option to avoid peak hour congestion in the city centre.

The consultation also covered the preferred route for two new roads linked to the PWD, connecting to new and existing housing areas in north-west Preston and Cottam Hall identified in Preston City Council’s Local Plan.

The East-West Link Road and Cottam Link Road will provide convenient access for local and through traffic to use the PWD, avoiding already congested local routes.

Planners are now proposing to ensure the ‘adopted routes’ are reflected in local planning documents, and to protect the land needed for them from further development. A decision is due to be taken by the cabinet member for highways and transport on Tuesday 11 November.

Phill Wilson, project manager for the City Deal delivery team, said: “The Preston Western Distributor is vital to deliver the jobs and investment outlined in the City Deal by ensuring the city’s road network has the capacity to support new housing and business development.

“The Highways and Transport Masterplan for central Lancashire recognises that the existing transport network serving Preston and the wider area is becoming increasingly congested.

“We’re already working to improve the capacity of our existing roads and make it easier for people to walk, cycle and use public transport, but this alone will not allow for future investment and growth in traffic, which means we also need new roads.”

Councillor John Swindells, deputy leader of Preston City Council, added: “The City Deal is a once in a generation opportunity to provide the infrastructure we need to allow Preston to grow in a sustainable way without causing gridlock on our roads.

“The Preston Western Distributor and associated link roads are key to delivering the thousands of new jobs and homes promised by the City Deal on the strategic sites identified in our Local Plan.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .