Work on a long-awaited new pedestrian crossing across one of Preston’s busiest stretches of road.

The crossing is just up from the Tesco store which is opposite from The Ploughlands and Layton Road, not far from the Lea Road junction.

Work began on Monday to prepare the groundwork for the new crossing.

Crews from Lancashire County Council have been on site at the same time as United Utilities are finishing sewer repair works to stop flooding at the Greaves Town Lane junction.

Read more: Keep up to date with roadworks and more with our dedicated Facebook traffic and travel group

A spokesman for the county council said: “Work started on a signal controlled crossing across Blackpool Road on Monday.

“It is hoped the work will be completed by the end of the month.”

The long and winding crossing

Preston South West county councillor Gillian Oliver said: “The crossing was connected to the building of Tesco in 2007 and the provision was made then.

“The money has always been in the budget and for some reason we’ve had to wait, it’s been too long for residents and me.

“County highways visited the area in 2018 to carry out a pedestrian survey and determine where the crossing should be.

“They found the greatest number of crossings are made right outside Tesco.

“Final legal conversations have been held in the past month which caused a further delay.

“I will be raising at the highest levels of the county council why the money has been in the pot sitting there.

“It’s an issue of public safety. It’s a busy main road and there are people with mobility issues. It’s unfair of money is sitting there.”

Read more: Roadworks to shut part of Black Bull Lane for two weeks

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