Major changes for four routes into Preston planned

An overhead view of Junction 31 of the M6, key routes around it are due to see work done Pic: fragglehunter

More than £2million is to be spent on four major routes into Preston during the next year.

Lancashire County Council has confirmed it is targeting the M6 at Junction 31, around the Tickled Trout, and the A59 and A677 which join it there, as well as the A583 down at the Docks.

The route into the city from Penwortham and a section in Fulwood at Bluebell Way would also see work done.

The funding is part of a £4.6million investment across Lancashire in trying to cut congestion.

Work on both the routes is asimed at improving the reliability and timing of traffic signals and junctions on the roads.

Here’s what the county council has planned:

A583 at Riversway
Physical work and upgrades to technology on the route into the Docks will ‘maximise the efficiency of the existing network capacity and unlock investor potential’
Cost £950,000

M6 J31 Tickled Trout
At Junction 31 they want to reset the traffic signals to ensure the signal junctions work efficiently.

A59 and A677 Swallow Hotel
A key route linking the city and M6 with the Samlesbury Enterprise Zone. They want to amend the traffic signals at this junction.
Cost for both schemes: £900,000

Ringway – Guild Way
An upgrade to the traffic signals from sections of the Ringway from Guild Way to Wellfield Road and on to Ringway, and London Road to the Capitol Centre.
Cost: £200,000

Bluebell Way
Journey time monitoring and upgrades to the traffic signals
Cost: £100,000

What the county council had to say

Cabinet member for highways and transport county councillor Keith Iddon said: “These schemes will help to improve the reliability of our traffic signals and reduce congestion, which benefits everyone.

“It’s important to us that people can get around, and that the county continues to be a great place for business.

“Cabinet has agreed the list of schemes this week, following the detailed work that’s been done by our officers to understand the specific issues at these sites and look at possible solutions.”