The new bus lane will be at the junction of James Towers way on Garstang Road. Pic: Google

A new bus lane is about to spring up in Broughton village.

Lancashire County Council has announced plans to reduce ‘rat-running’ and stop unnecessary journeys through the village, since the opening of James Towers Way.

A high number of accidents have also been reported at the crossroads, which the Council says the bus lane will help to reduce.

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It will be located at the north side of the village on Garstang Road, near to the roundabout with James Towers Way, the bus lane would affect journeys in both directions through the village itself.

Drivers would instead use James Towers Way and Whittingham Lane.

A similar bus lane has been in operation since May, at the southern end of Garstang Road close to junction one of the M55. Up until the end of August, it caught 4835.

The proposals are being advertised from today (Friday 28 September) until Friday 26 October, using public notices and letters to local residents.

Rina Housbey, principal engineer for Lancashire County Council, said: “The number of vehicles travelling through the centre of Broughton has reduced dramatically since James Towers Way opened last year, which was our overall aim.

“However this has led to some people still choosing to travel through the centre of the village, rather than using the new road, so we’ve developed these plans to stop this from happening.

“The aim is to help people who live and work in the village by reducing unnecessary journeys and rat running.”

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Only buses, cycles and authorised vehicles would be able to travel through the bus lane and all other vehicles will be prohibited.

Cameras will monitor the bus lane which will be in operation at all times.

A turning space is also proposed to ensure that people have an option as they approach.

You can comment on the proposals by Friday 26 October by sending an email to tro-consultation@lancashire.gov.uk and quoting reference 8440.

Once the comments have been received and considered, a formal decision would be taken before the bus lane comes into effect.

You can see the plans here.

What do you think about the new bus lane? Do you live in Broughton? Let us know in the comments below