Changes to Preston Bus services due to Friargate North and Ringway scheme

Friargate road closure sign Pic: Blog Preston — Friargate will close to traffic on Monday 16 May Pic: Blog Preston

Changes to Preston Bus services in Preston City Centre have come into force as part of the Transforming Friargate North and Ringway scheme.

The £14.7m revamp, which started in November 2021 and will be completed by Spring 2023, aims to promote public transport by bus and rail, and introduce cycling and walking lanes to increase active travel.

Preston Bus services are no longer stopping at the inbound bus stop on Ringway near to the Courts. Passengers on services 12, 23, 31, 35, 43, 44, 100 are being asked to use the previous bus stop or alight at the Bus Station.

Outbound journeys from the city for Preston Bus services 23, 31, 35 and 44 have stopped running on Friargate and are instead operating via Corporation Street.

Boarding is available via three points; the new bus stop on Corporation Street, the Bus Station or the existing bus stop on Ringway, which has been reinstated.

The image below was taken on Monday 25 April, the last day buses operated in both directions.

Buses travelling on Friargate Pic: Bernard H. Allan — Some of the last buses to travel out of the city on Friargate Pic: Bernard H. Allan

Friargate is permanently closing to all traffic from Monday 16 May.

Friargate bus stop Pic: Blog Preston — Stop S2 on Friargate is no longer in use Pic: Blog Preston

From then, Preston Bus services 23, 31, 35 and 44 will operate on their inbound journeys via Corporation Street.

In the end there will be a new measure of bus interchange stops at the Friargate Ringway junction and Peace Garden area.

Vehicular access is slowly being removed and limited to enable a pedestrian and cycle friendly space with paving, trees and features such as public seating, space for outdoor markets and alfresco dining opportunities.

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