More work will start soon to create Leyland Loop

Work will get underway soon to create new sections of the Leyland Loop.

The route will eventually link up areas of green space with improved cycling and walking facilities to create an unbroken loop around the town.

The project is being delivered as a partnership between Lancashire County Council, South Ribble Borough Council, Chorley Borough Council and the Cuerden Valley Park Trust, as the four organisations which own most of the land needed for the route.

Lancashire County Council is working to deliver sections of the route between Wigan Road, Farington and Dawson Lane, Buckshaw Village, and Worden Lane and Longmeanygate, Leyland.

Work will begin next week on the path through Cuerden Park from Town Brow to Dawson Lane to create a better surface by smoothing out the lumps and bumps caused by tree roots.

Summer will also see the start of improvements to the junction of Slater Lane and Schleswig Way, creating a new pedestrian crossing with further crossing points at Dunkirk Lane and Leyland Lane currently being designed. Discussions are also underway with South Ribble Council and landowners about improving the path between Shaw Brook Road and Slater Lane, and widening the footbridge across Mill Brook.

County Councillor John Fillis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "The idea of the Leyland Loop is to create better links between residential areas, local services and employment areas to make it easier for people to walk or cycle for short journeys, and for leisure.

"We've already made some improvements, with new crossings on Langdale Road and Longmenygate and, more recently, resurfacing the popular cycle path between Dawson Lane and Old Worden Lane.

"We'll be making further progress in the coming months. Completing the loop is a long-term project but every little section we create is worthwhile and helps to improve people's experience of cycling and walking in Leyland.

"We'll continue to work with our partners on the Leyland Loop and look to take opportunities to fund even more improvements through the planning system as new housing and business developments come forward."

Notes for Editors: Picture caption (L-R) County Councillor John Fillis, cabinet member for highways and transport, with County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, who represents central Leyland and is involved with the ongoing development of the Leyland Loop.