Here’s how Preston responded to the new bus lane coming to the city centre

What the new traffic rules would mean

Another bus lane is coming to Preston city centre.

The new stretch of bus-only road will be located on the southern stretch of Tithebarn Street, with Lancashire County Council preparing to spend more than £400,000.

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Here’s what Preston said in response:

Jamaal Standing believes the scheme will cause more congestion. He said:”As if the ring toad is not congested enough due to the Fishergate bus lane. Leave the damn roads alone and spend the money on more useful schemes like schools, museums, libraries, oh and the homeless.”

Lisa Ashcroft also fears more congestion will be created, saying: “This sounds horrendous! It is congested enough with the normal flow of traffic. At 4pm when students are exiting Newman and the zebra crossing on Church Street at the junction with Manchester Road is being used it’s a constant flow of people crossing the road. This then causes a major jam of traffic which in turn prevents people exiting south of the bus station. A new pelican crossing is needed to replace the zebra crossing if traffic is to flow.”

Carol Bateson is unsure about how the scheme will work. She said: “I’m a little unsure as to how this will be a bus lane. Buses will enter on the south of the bus station, as they do now and leave to the north, as they do now… buses wont be on this road, just the taxis as it is now.”

Claire Wellard also has uncertainties about the new bus lane, saying: “Surely all these single ‘improvements’ are part of a smooth running city centre. What is Preston and it’s traffic flow going to look like? I understand having the ring road running through the centre is not ideal but building more on to deepdale park is clogging that route too.”

Bob Entwistle didn’t see a problem with the scheme, saying: “What are people moaning about here? The traffic going through Tithebarn Street now are just using it as a rat run and will now go down Carlisle Street, this will not affect Cardinal Newman College as it’s the same traffic. As for ‘the buses don’t go down Tithebarn Street’, when they start exiting from the northern end of the bus station they will go down Tithebarn Street.”

Kerry Ann Beswick, however, thinks it will drive the city centre’s business away. She said: “If they are looking at ways of stopping shoppers coming into preston they are going about it the right way! Getting out of Preston most times of the day now takes about 25 mins and then you have 5pm which can take 45mins. This will reduce the pool of people who want to work in the City’s businesses too. Not everyone wants to/are able to use busses”.

Paul Walsh had reservations about the new bus lane. He said: “Preston centre is becoming a no go area“.

Terrance Jagger believes the money should be spent elsewhere, saying: “The money would be better spent on tidying up the ‘Gateways’ that enter Preston from London Road end and bottom of Friargate and Fishergate. It looks so run down on entry“.

Nigel Whalley made the point that more people should use the Park and Ride systems. He said: “If more people used the Park & Ride systems, there won’t be any congestion in Preston & save you money. It’s never difficult, just too naive to be bothered using it. Stop complaining.”

Anthony Capps has concerns about how people will be able to drive to the city centre. He said: “What a stupid idea! How are you meant to drive into the centre of Preston?! If the bus companies didn’t charge the earth in fares, people might use them more!”

There is currently no date known for when the county council will start the work.

What do you think about the new Preston Bus Lane near the bus station? What do you think about traffic in the city centre? Let us know in the comments below