Allowing drivers to leave the St George’s Shopping Centre and go straight into Ringway is now being considered.

Preston city centre’s gridlock has seen motorists trapped for hours in the car park.

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Now Lancashire County Council is considering making a section of Lune Street two-way to help clear congestion.

At present the road is one-way, heading up towards Fishergate, leaving drivers only one option for leaving the city centre.

Proposals going to the county council’s cabinet about the Fishergate scheme include options for other parts of the city.

Read more: Here’s how and when the Fishergate bus lane might be switched back on

Directory of community services Phil Barrett said: “We recognise that these bus lanes significantly affected people using the St George’s Shopping Centre car park and in Avenham, so we’ve looked in detail at other measures, such as the removal of the bus lane on Church Street. This which would add extra capacity and help people travelling to and from the city centre.

“We’re also seeking agreement from the cabinet to look into options for a new junction from Ringway onto Lune Street, providing an exit for cars from the St George’s Shopping Centre car park.

“We believe that these changes would help to reduce some of the issues that we identified during the trial period and improve the overall experience in the city centre for drivers and pedestrians.

“The proposals for Lune Street are at an early stage and still need looking into in more detail, with public consultation as part of the process.”

In June the city council approved removing a restriction on St George’s shopping centre car park to allow them to have long-stay contract parking on the top level.

Shopping centre management said this was needed due to falling use of the car park – with shoppers concerned about the length of time it took to exit the city centre.

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