Highway improvements begin in Bamber Bridge
The latest stage of work has started to transform the centre of Bamber Bridge.
This involves a major upgrade to Station Road to make it a more welcoming pedestrian-friendly area, with wider footpaths, improved crossings and more on-street parking.
Specially-designed bus stops and benches will fit in with the historical theme of the scheme.
This improvement work, taking place between St Mary's Road and Kingsway, is expected to be completed in May 2017.
These improvements aim to make it a more inviting place for people to live, work and shop.
The improvements are funded by the £434m Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal.
County Councillor John Fillis, Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "We've started our improvement work on the roads and pavements through the town centre. This is the latest stage of a great project to transform the centre of Bamber Bridge.
"There could be some inconvenience while this work is carried out, which we're working hard to keep to minimum. Thank you in advance for your patience while this work is being done. I'm sure that people will be delighted when they see the improvements that have been made.
"We're proud to be investing in local centres through City Deal. By improving the area, we're helping people to get around easily and making it more attractive for local residents, visitors and businesses."
This work will be put on hold in the run-up to the busy Christmas period, starting again in the New Year.
The City Deal will help to create more than 20,000 new private sector jobs and see over 17,000 new homes built across Preston and South Ribble, as well as new school places, open green spaces and new health provision to cater for the growing population.
Work has already started in Bamber Bridge on a new public garden. As the focal point of the town centre improvements, the garden will feature a landmark iron tree sculpture made from different metals, which will change in colour as it weathers over time.
Councillor Phil Smith, South Ribble Borough Council's cabinet member for Regeneration and Leisure, said: “I can’t remember a time when Bamber Bridge enjoyed a level of investment on this scale – it is unprecedented.
“Through the City Deal, we are able to deliver projects which will benefit generations to come while creating thousands of new jobs, new homes and increasing the size of the local economy by a staggering £1bn.
“What’s important for South Ribble Borough Council, is that the infrastructure is in place to support the local communities and help our towns and villages to thrive.”
The City Deal is an agreement between the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, Preston City Council, South Ribble Borough Council and Lancashire County Council, along with central government and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
For more information visit the City Deal website www.lancashirelep.co.uk/city-deal, email [email protected]. Keep updated on the improvement work taking place across the area by following @LancsCityDeal on Twitter.