A road within Preston’s university campus is to close for nine weeks as work continues to prepare for Adelphi roundabout changes.
The University of Central Lancashire is creating its £60million new student centre and converting the roundabout into ‘Adelphi Square‘.
Victoria Street, from the junctions with Adelphi Street and Moor Lane, is being closed from Monday 10 June for nine weeks,
The road needs to be widened for bus diversions and to carry more traffic once the new one-way system comes in around Adelphi Square.
The university has also confirmed Adelphi Street from the junction with St Peter’s Street to Victoria Street will become pedestrianised.
Access for pedestrians is due to remain throughout all the roadworks.
St Peter’s Square is already closed to traffic as demolition of the terraced houses takes place.
The university has already confirmed Maudland Road, off Fylde Road, is closing for two years from Monday (3 June) to become a compund for Balfour Beatty to carry out the Adelphi Square work.
Chief operating officer of UCLan Michael Ahern said: “We’re pleased to be able to share details of the final highways scheme which will transform our campus and the Adelphi Quarter of Preston. This has been in planning for over three years, during which we have consulted consistently with members of the public, interest groups and our neighbours to create a scheme which not only improves the use of space but most importantly creates a safe environment for all.
“As you can imagine, this is a huge project which once completed will change the face of the University quarter forever. Inevitably there will be some disruption but we are working in close collaboration with our experienced contractor Balfour Beatty and Lancashire County Council on a detailed traffic management plan.
“We will ensure that throughout the highways works, any changes to traffic routes will be regularly and comprehensively communicated to ensure minimal inconvenience for road users.
“Access to businesses and properties will remain open although we would ask the public to allow more time to complete their journeys if they are in the vicinity of the University campus.”
Read more: UCLan’s Adelphi Square ‘will have to include controlled crossings’
Project manager Graeme Moffat said: “This award demonstrates our experience and our capability in delivering significant highways schemes in the region, having most recently completed a similar public realm project at Keel Square in Sunderland.
“The works, which are crucial to delivering the University of Central Lancashire’s Masterplan, will see the re-alignment of the highways in the Adelphi Quarter in Preston as well as the development of a pedestrian priority scheme on Campus. Together with Lancashire County Council and the University we have worked closely during the planning stages to ensure minimal disruption to the travelling public throughout the project duration.”
Read more: Is UCLan a good thing or a bad thing?
Lancashire County Council have given permission for the road network to be changed around the university campus.
Leader of the county council Geoff Driver said: “We’ve been working with the University to create a new layout in the Adelphi area, as part of their Masterplan, which will draw the City and University together. There will be some disruption while this work takes place, but we ask people to bear with us.
“By attracting students into the City, this creates new jobs, helps local businesses and benefits the wider economy. This is an exciting time, thanks to a major investment from the University that will benefit the City overall.”
Read more: Adelphi Square plans approved and work starts in 2019