Improvement work continues in Preston City Centre
The latest stage of multi-million pound improvements to Preston's main shopping area has restarted following the festive period.
The work on Church Street aims to create a more pedestrian-friendly and attractive city centre, less dominated by cars, attract more commercial investment and boost growth in the area.
The Church Street improvements will be similar to those already made to Fishergate, with changes to the road layout, new paving, lighting and seating.
The improvements are a key part of the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal. This is an agreement between Lancashire Enterprise Partnership and Preston City Council, South Ribble Borough Council and Lancashire County Council, along with central government and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).
The latest section where improvement work is taking place runs from Preston Minster along Church Street towards Fishergate.
An area around the Miller Arcade was started at the end of last year, with a planned break over the busy Christmas and New Year period. Work will also begin on the section close to the Minster.
The changes will also include parts of Birley Street and Cheapside, linking the new-look area to the Flag Market in front of the Harris Museum.
The improvement work is scheduled to be completed around late summer.
County Councillor Jennifer Mein, leader of the county council, said: "This is a significant investment in the city centre that will help to encourage new businesses and new shoppers, bringing new jobs and economic growth.
"Working in such a busy city centre environment does inevitably cause some disruption, but we've been focused on keeping this to a minimum throughout the scheme, and making sure that people can continue to access businesses.
"We've already seen the difference that has been made to how Fishergate now looks and we're looking forward to seeing the benefits that it brings to this part of the city centre."
Councillor John Swindells, deputy leader of Preston City Council, said: "Preston City Centre is at the forefront of investment through the City Deal and also the Lancashire Economic Partnership.
"It’s about improving the environment and making the city centre a better place to be – easier to walk around whether you are shopping, having something to eat, enjoying a night out, or even catching a train or bus.
"This is just the start, with improvements in Winckley Square, Markets Quarter, the Bus Station and the Preston Housing Zone all set to transform the city centre in the future."
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.
For more information on Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal visit www.lancashirelep.co.uk/city-deal or follow the City Deal on Twitter @lancscitydeal.
For further information please contact: Stephen Axon on 01772 533 194
[email protected]