Traffic at the Broughton roundabout is often backed up due to congestion on the A6

June is set to see months of roadworks at one of the city’s busiest junctions.

A £2.6 million scheme to tackle congestion at the Broughton roundabout will finally begin but drivers are being warned to expect disruption.

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The final plans for the A6 and M55 junction will be given the nod today at the Lancashire County Council cabinet meeting.

Currently the roundabout can see peak-time delays with traffic queues going back onto the M55, M6, Garstang Road and Eastway paralysing the northern routes of Preston.

The lack of road capacity in the northern edge of the city has been pin-pointed by Preston City Council as a major factor in rejecting large development plans for Cottam and Fulwood.

The plans for the Broughton roundabout include widening the northbound carriageway of the A6 to three lanes from two.

The southbound A6 carriageway will include an extra lane solely for access to the motorway.

Traffic lights will also be installed at every junction on the roundabout and there will be additional signals at Eastway and Garstang Road.

Phil Barrett, director of Lancashire Highway Services, said: “The improvements at this junction are needed to ensure people can continue to travel efficiently as traffic levels grow.

“The work is part of our Highways and Transport Masterplan for Central Lancashire which outlines many further investments in our transport infrastructure that will be needed to support future economic growth in this area.

“This scheme is the first in that plan to become a reality and, while there will be some disruption in the short term while the work takes place, it is essential if we’re to keep traffic moving and avoid Broughton becoming gridlocked.”

The county council is also currently working on gaining permission for the long-sought after Broughton bypass.

What do you think about the Broughton roundabout plans? Do you use the route? Let us know in the comments below