Major improvements for Broughton village

A major part of a significant package of improvements for Broughton village was approved today, as Lancashire County Council’s cabinet approved new plans for cycle tracks in the village.

The cycle tracks are in addition to a new 20mph speed limit which will be introduced through the centre of Broughton, a weight limit will come into force and new bus measures near D’Urton Lane will help to improve travel times.

Now that the new road has opened, work can begin on the improvements along the A6 through Broughton village including new footways, changes on the Guild Wheel to benefit pedestrians and cyclists, changes to encourage vehicles to use the new road and work to tackle flooding issues.

This work will encourage motorists to use the new road, rather than coming through the village.

The package of work is part of the planning permission for James Towers Way, the official name given to the Broughton Bypass, which opened to vehicles last week.

The major work to the village centre is anticipated to start around April 2018, some initial work however will take place over the coming weeks including drainage works and changes to the village crossroads.

Funding for the programme has been secured through the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal Infrastructure Delivery Fund, as part of the financial provision for Broughton Congestion Relief.

County Councillor Keith Iddon, Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “This is a wide-ranging package of measures that will benefit local people in Broughton, such as cyclists, pedestrians and public transport users. It’s a significant investment in the village, as part of the planning permission for the new road.

“The number of vehicles coming through the village itself will drop considerably now that the new road has opened. Local people have put up with a lot of traffic and congestion over the years, so it’s important that we now put measures in place to deter people from travelling through the village itself.

“The new 20mph limit and weight restriction will make this a less attractive route for through traffic and it should deter HGVs. This will help to reduce pollution and congestion, and improve safety for local people.”

A 7.5 tonne weight limit will be introduced on Garstang Road through Broughton village, except for access and public service vehicles.

Parts of Garstang Road will be narrowed to create a new cycle track on the western side, replacing the current cycleway on the eastern side, which will become part of the Guild Wheel.

The crossing to the south of Church Lane will be upgraded for pedestrian and cycle use.

To improve public transport journey times, a new bus-only lane will be introduced near D’Urton Lane, for buses travelling through Broughton towards Preston. This will restrict right-turns for motorists travelling south.

A 20mph speed limit will be introduced on Garstang Road through the centre of the village, on Whittingham Lane from the crossroads to Willow Tree Avenue, and on Woodplumpton Lane up to Kingsway Avenue.

These plans continue to develop through consultation with local people, the parish council and cycling groups.

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]