Work due to start on next phase of Fishergate Scheme

Work will soon start to continue the shared space scheme along the remaining stretch of Fishergate to help improve the entrances into the city centre.

Thanks to a £6m funding contribution from the Lancashire Growth Deal agreed with central government, work will start on Monday 16 February from the Cheapside junction to Cannon Street, as well as working on the top end of Guildhall Street.

Work will be ongoing until November when the entire stretch from Cheapside to Winckley Street will be completed. Works will resume after the Christmas shopping period in January 2016 with completion of the stretch from the Cheapside junction to the Minster.

As part of the work, Fishergate will become one way with the permanent removal of the right turn from Cannon Street but with a new left turn put into place.
Guildhall Street, at the section next to Fishergate, will be temporarily closed to through traffic until this part of the work is finished in the spring. The bus stop outside Boots will also be temporarily out of use until the spring and passengers will be advised to use Lancaster Road or other Fishergate stops instead.

County Councillor John Fillis, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: "It is fantastic news that we now have the funding to finish the rest of Fishergate so quickly after the first phase was completed. The continuation of the granite paving and tree-lined high street will create a much more attractive environment in the city centre, and will enhance the economic viability of the city centre.

"Preston plays a key role in Lancashire's economy so an inviting city centre that attracts new jobs and investment will have a positive impact on the rest of the county. However, improving Fishergate is just one piece in the jigsaw and this is the first phase of a longer-term strategy that we're working on with Preston City Council to develop the city centre and surrounding area.

"Unfortunately to make this happen some disruption is unavoidable so we ask for your continued patience. We have seen from the first phase the difference that this investment will make to our city centre so please do bear with us as it will be worth it when it is complete."

All businesses will remain open as usual during the work.

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Note to editors:

The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership has secured £251.1 million from the Government's Local Growth Fund to support economic growth in the area through the Growth Deal.

The Lancashire Growth Deal aims to realise the growth potential of the whole of Lancashire, building on key local economic assets including the universities and colleges, the Enterprise Zone, the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal and high-value business clusters across the county.

Over the lifetime of the deal (2015 – 2021) the Growth Deal is expected to create up to 8000 new jobs, 3000 new homes and attract £280m of additional public and private investment to Lancashire.

For further information please contact: Ginette Unsworth on 01772 536002 or [email protected]