Preston motorists have given their views on whether the Broughton Bypass is working three months on.

The A6 now runs on the stretch of road – named the James Towers Way – which has relieved queues at the old Broughton crossroads.

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But many drivers feel it has pushed delays into Eastway and the Broughton roundabout.

Has the Broughton Bypass improved things? Lots of you talking about traffic now being worse on Eastway: https://t.co/T7AtCdIKvR

— Blog Preston (@blogpreston) January 13, 2018

The bypass itself

Matthew Worthington tweted ‘rush hour traffic has no chance on the bypass as we are giving way to those coming from Broughton towards Preston. Complete standstill.’

Helen Turner said: “Broughton is a quiet country lane in contrast to the havoc that has developed since the commencement of the work and has shown no change since completion. Too many people accessing the Broughton junction in one road from both Curran and Fulwood which is only going to get worse with the continuation of housing developments. The whole system needs looking at and money spending on the areas south of Broughton.”

Sarah Cutting said: “Not many drivers stick to the new 20mph limit through Broughton, and this week the A6 was clogged up with drivers presumably trying to bypass the new bypass! What a mess.”

There were some who said the bypass made a noticeable difference to their journey times.

John, known as Catterall White on Twitter, said: “Catterall to Preston its made a huge difference, can be done regular time every day, used to take between 15 and 45 minutes before. It’s getting back to the bypass when heading home that is still a problem.”

And na888444 tweeted: “I feel it has yes it’s takes less time to get into Goosnargh than it did before.”

Tom, known as Preston_Mag, said: “From Longridge to Preston its quicker yes on a bus but its defo better than it was and better journey even if it gets busy at night time.”

Read more: Broughton Bypass road changes plan goes back for new approval

On the Eastway traffic

Gillian Jones said: “Eastway, Garstang Road and surrounding roads are a nightmare since the bypass opening and Durton Lane closure and I fear it will only get worse as more and more houses built along that route. Regularly takes 30 minutes to travel along Eastway to M55 what a joke!”

Jacki Tompkins feels the answer is to build another bypass. She said: “We need a bypass in Fulwood now, to relieve Eastway and Sharoe Green Lane and the A6 north of Broughton roundabout.Not only is the area a car park for the hospital it’s a concrete jungle snarled up with traffic jams. It was obvious years ago that Eastway would not be able to cope with the increased traffic.”

Jackie Simmons said: “Might have cleared Broughton but they’ve stuffed up Junction 32 with tail backs still back to 31a, Eastway is stuffed, the roundabout gridlocked and the bypass jammed up to Barton level to head towards Preston. Oh and no one knows how to get to d’urton Lane unless you live there cos there are no directions and no road name just a dead end sign. Well done LCC.”

Samantha Molloy tweeted: “The traffic is not only a problem on Eastway, I live near the Withy Trees and regularly it now takes me between 30 to 50 minutes to get to the Broughton roundabout M6/M55 in a morning whichever way I go.”

Read more: Work begins on building the Penwortham Bypass

The Broughton roundabout

Writing in the Blog Preston comments section, Derek had an idea for keeping things moving at the Broughton roundabout.

He writes: “Coming north on the A6 through Fulwood you come up in one of four lanes leading on to the roundabout under the M55. The left hand lane is for access to M55 West bound, the two right hand lanes are for M55, only one lane for the A6 north. The result is the junction or Lane for the A6 backs up, whilst the Blackpool Lane often is empty or only has one or two cars.

“Once on the roundabout a second lane appears for the A6 north, so to anyone with any sense why not have the left hand lane as left turn or straight on. This will prevent or at least ease the congestion both here and on Tom Benson Way below.”

What do you think of the roads in Broughton and Fulwood? What do you think a solution could be? Let us know in the comments below

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