Next Phase of Transforming Friargate North and Ringway to Begin

Work is due to begin on 7 February to create a new two-way cycle track on the north side of Ring Way. To create room for this, the central island running the full length of Ring Way has to be moved towards the south side.

To allow the work to take place safely there will be traffic management in place on Ring Way, with the right-hand lane closed in both directions between Corporation Street and North Road. The lane closures will be in place 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from Monday 7 February for the duration of the work, which is expected to be completed in Spring 2023.

This work follows the recently completed improvements on Corporation Street North, which will allow Friargate to be pedestrianised by moving all of the bus services to Corporation Street from Friargate.

The closures on Ring Way will be removed as soon as the alterations to the central island are complete, and the traffic flow will be monitored throughout to keep delays at a minimum.

County Councillor Charlie Edwards, cabinet member for highways and transport, said:

"I am pleased to say that the project is going really well despite the set back of the extra time needed to strengthen the foundations of the road on Corporation St, and we are running on time and on budget so far.

"This exciting scheme will fundamentally change the way we travel into and around this part of Preston, encouraging more people to leave the car at home by offering increased opportunities to catch the bus, walk and cycle.

"This project supports the work we are doing with bus operators on the Bus Service Improvement Plan, which aims to create services that are more frequent, reliable and affordable, while making them easier for passengers to understand and use.

"As well as making Friargate North and Ring Way more accessible for cyclists and pedestrians, it will encourage the flow of people between the university and the Harris Quarter, reconnecting the city with the northern end of Friargate. Improving this area will make a real difference to everyone who works, visits, or does business in this part of Preston.

"We can't make major changes to these busy roads without causing some level of disruption, and I'm very grateful for the patience which people have shown so far.

"This next phase of the scheme focused on Ring Way will cause some delays, and I'd ask people to keep this in mind and leave extra time if they need to travel through this area over the coming year. The end result will be worth it, and is important for the future of Preston."

The improvements are part of a £14.7m scheme to regenerate this area in line with other modern cities following a successful bid to the Transforming Cities Fund.

To find out more about the Transforming Friargate North and Ringway scheme go to lancashire.gov.uk/fnr

Note to editors:

A range of schemes are planned that will transform Preston over the coming years.
In March 2020 Lancashire County Council (LCC) and our partners were awarded £40.4m by the Department for Transport (DfT), which was granted under the Transforming Cities Fund (TCF).
For more information visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/transformingcities.

For further information please contact: Jennifer Dobson on 01772 532419
jennifer.dobson@lancashire.gov.uk