Work to begin on new junction for the Penwortham Bypass

Work starts next week along Liverpool Road in Penwortham, to create the new junction for the bypass on the A59.

The new road aims to reduce congestion and queuing through the centre of Penwortham, especially at peak times.

From Monday 11 February, a 30mph speed limit will be put in place along part of Liverpool Road for safety reasons. Delays are likely while this work is carried out, so people are urged to allow more travel time in this area.

During this work, lane closures will be in place along some sections of the A59, between Hutton Roundabout and Howick Moor Lane in both directions. The work will also include new pedestrian crossing facilities as part of the new junction.

Work will be carried out along the A59, until the new junction has been created and the bypass opens early next year.

The Penwortham Bypass is one of several major road schemes being funded through the £434m Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal.

Construction of the new bypass is being carried out by Lancashire County Council.

Once completed, the bypass is anticipated to carry approximately 22,000 vehicles per day. Traffic volumes on several surrounding roads, such as the A59, Lindle Lane and Pope Lane, are anticipated to reduce by 40% to 70% during peak times.

Jim Carter, Chairman of the City Deal, said: “This is a big stage in the construction of the new bypass, as work begins to build the new junction.

“A lot of work has been taking place on the new bypass over the past year. Work started in January 2018, so we’re over the halfway mark already.

“The next stage of this work involves creating the new junction on the A59 for the bypass, so there could be some disruption to people’s journeys.

“We ask people to bear with us while this work takes place, as the new road will add significant capacity on the road network, reduce congestion and open up new opportunities for business.”

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

County Councillor Geoff Driver CBE, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “A new road has been talked about for many years. Local people have put up with congestion for too long through the town, and I’m pleased that construction is going well and that the road will open next year.

“Once the bypass opens, traffic will reduce in the centre of Penwortham and there’ll be extra capacity on the road network. There’ll be disruption while the road is being built, but it will be worth it in the end.”

Councillor Margaret Smith, Leader of South Ribble Borough Council, said: “It is good to see the work on the Penwortham bypass progressing. Making this section of the A59 a dual carriageway will also help to ease congestion and hopefully reduce traffic, not only going down Lindle Lane but also through the villages in the western parishes of South Ribble. Developing new infrastructure in South Ribble will also support future growth and help to improve air quality.”

The City Deal will help to create more than 20,000 new private sector jobs and see over 17,000 new homes built across the area, along with new school places, open green spaces and new health provision to cater for the growing population.

For more information, follow City Deal on Twitter @lancscitydeal, visit www.lancashirelep.co.uk/city-deal or email [email protected]