Second bus lane for Broughton is scrapped

A section of the former A6 would become bus lane under the plans Pic: Google

A second bus lane planned for Broughton has been given the red light.

Villagers were asked to give their views on a second stretch of restricted road, following the installation of a bus lane to the south of the village.

Lancashire County Council had wanted to put in the bus lane on Garstang Road to the north of the village to its junction with James Towers Way, the new bypass, at the roundabout.

The southern bus lane is enforced with a camera and is catching hundreds of motorists per month.

But the county council says it is now putting its second bus lane on hold.

Roadworks are ongoing in Broughton to introduce new traffic-calming measures and improve signage at the village’s crash-ridden crossroads where the priorities were changed following the opening of the Broughton Bypass.

Cabinet member for highways and transport county councillor Keith Iddon said: “We’ve listened to people’s views on our plan and decided that the new traffic calming we’re currently putting in should help to reduce problems through the village.

“Thank you to everyone who responded to the public notices, which helped us to consider all of the issues and reach this decision.

“Once this work has been carried out, we’ll keep an eye on the situation to consider if a bus lane is still needed, but we feel that the improvement work should help to solve these issues.”

The bus lane to the south of Broughton remains in place.

Broughton Parish Council chairwoman Pat Hastings said: “This reflects the views that were expressed at the last Parish council meeting following which we wrote and spoke to the officers and county councillor Keith Iddon.

“We are delighted that they have agreed to see what effect the village roadworks have on the junction, the traffic flow through the village and the businesses. The crossroads still present an issue as long as motorists do not read the signs and comply.”

What do you think of the bus lane proposal? And the county council’s decision? Let us know in the comments below