Lane closures are starting in Liverpool Road in Penwortham as work on the new bypass continues.

A new junction onto the A59 from the new bypass – which is half-way done – means Lancashire County Council need to put a new 30mph speed limit in as well.

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The closures will be between Hutton roundabout and Howick Moor Lane in both directions.

Work starts from Monday 11 February and the county council claims around 22,000 journeys-a-day will go along the bypass.

It’s expected to cut congestion through Penwortham.

The new junction was originally due to be a roundabout, so it could connect in future to a new bridge over the River Ribble, but this was scrapped in favour of a traffic light junction.

Funding for the new road comes from the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal – a £434million investment in new roads and housing in the city and surrounding area.

Chairman of the City Deal Jim Carter said: “This is a big stage in the construction of the new bypass, as work begins to build the new junction.

“A lot of work has been taking place on the new bypass over the past year. Work started in January 2018, so we’re over the halfway mark already.

“The next stage of this work involves creating the new junction on the A59 for the bypass, so there could be some disruption to people’s journeys.

“We ask people to bear with us while this work takes place, as the new road will add significant capacity on the road network, reduce congestion and open up new opportunities for business.”

Read more: When work began on building the Penwortham Bypass

The new bypass is due to open in early 2020 and enjoyed good progress due to the warm summer of 2018.

Leader of the county council Geoff Driver said: “A new road has been talked about for many years. Local people have put up with congestion for too long through the town, and I’m pleased that construction is going well and that the road will open next year.

“Once the bypass opens, traffic will reduce in the centre of Penwortham and there’ll be extra capacity on the road network. There’ll be disruption while the road is being built, but it will be worth it in the end.”

Leader of South Ribble Borough Council councillor Margaret Smith said: “It is good to see the work on the Penwortham bypass progressing. Making this section of the A59 a dual carriageway will also help to ease congestion and hopefully reduce traffic, not only going down Lindle Lane but also through the villages in the western parishes of South Ribble.

“Developing new infrastructure in South Ribble will also support future growth and help to improve air quality.”

Read more: Watch where the Penwortham Bypass is due to go

What do you think of the Bypass? Will you be driving down it? Let us know in the comments below