Work has started on a series of wider improvements in Penwortham as part of the later stages of construction of the town’s new bypass. 

Lancashire County Council is constructing a new road layout on Liverpool Road, at the junction with Leyland Road, adding capacity towards Golden Way (A582). 

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The junction currently has two lanes for motorists travelling towards Penwortham and one for the roundabout leading to Golden Way. 

This will be changed to two lanes leading to Golden Way and one to Penwortham, in anticipation of future changes to traffic patterns in the area once the new bypass opens. 

Two lanes will be introduced at the Leyland Road roundabout for vehicles arriving from Liverpool Road, with dedicated lanes for Leyland Road and the bypass. 

Other improvements will see a new segregated cycle facility between Penwortham Brow and Fishergate Hill, to provide better alternatives to the car and more options for active travel. The pavement will also be widened. 

County Councillor Keith Iddon, Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Traffic levels through Penwortham will be significantly reduced once the new bypass opens. 

“But we are aware there will be some disruption to people’s journeys while this work takes place, so we ask people to allow more travel time in this area. 

“Our aim is to provide more capacity around this junction on Liverpool Road to coincide with the opening of the bypass. This will help to encourage through traffic to use the new bypass when it opens, rather than going through the centre of the town.” 

The council is currently considering its plans to close the A59 slip road onto the flyover, after listening to concerns from residents and businesses. 

Cllr Iddon said: “No decision has been taken on whether to close the slip road. I’d like to thank people for taking the time to contact us with information about it and can promise we are carefully considering the responses. 

“This is an important issue in this area and we’ll be making a decision in the coming months.” 

Read more: Petition starts against closure of Liverpool Road slip road in Penwortham

The aim of the new bypass is to remove traffic through the centre of Penwortham by providing a new route from the A59 Liverpool Road at Howick to the A582 at Broad Oak Roundabout. 

This new section completes the Penwortham Bypass, which has already seen improvements with the full length of Golden Way dualled in recent years. 

Traffic is expected to reduce by around 22,000 vehicles each day through the centre of Penwortham, once the new section of bypass opens. 

At the Cop Lane junction on Liverpool Road, the current two lanes in each direction will be replaced with one lane in each direction for people going straight ahead, and a new dedicated right turn lane. 

The traffic islands at the junction will also be widened to help people crossing the road and new signal controlled crossings will be added on Priory Lane and Cop Lane. 

When the new bypass opens, work will be needed on Liverpool Road near Howick Moor Lane to finish the new junction. This can only be carried out once the new road has opened, due to the current volume of traffic along Liverpool Road. 

The county council will announce more details about this work closer to the time. 

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Read more: Major changes for Liverpool Road in Penwortham planned once bypass is completed

The new bypass and the changes in Penwortham are part of the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal. 

This is an agreement between Lancashire Enterprise Partnership and Preston City Council, South Ribble Borough Council and Lancashire County Council, along with central government and Homes England. 

The City Deal will help to create more than 20,000 new private sector jobs and see over 17,000 new homes built across the area, along with new school places, open green spaces and new health provision to cater for the growing population. 

Follow City Deal on twitter @LancsCityDeal. 

What do you think of the new road plan? Leave your comments below.