Central Lancashire highways and transport masterplan

The masterplan represents the county council's priorities for future investment in highways and transport across central Lancashire and the start of a delivery programme for the next 13 years which will see new road space built, public transport prioritised along key corridors into Preston and between Leyland and Chorley, and public realm improvements in city, town and local centres.

The cost of the transport infrastructure which will be delivered by 2026 under the masterplan is estimated at £275 million, with various sources of public and private funding identified to support it.

A six-week consultation took place earlier this year with a series of events held across the area to allow members of the public and local organisations such as parish councils to contribute. The key changes made as a result of the consultation related appendices can be viewed in the decision details.

Supporting documents

Central Lancashire highways and transport masterplan (PDF 2.04 MB)
Consultation report (PDF 1.63 MB)
Environmental report (PDF 1.19 MB)

What we proposed

The masterplan set how we can improve the transport network for everyone who travels in central Lancashire and for the communities and businesses that are its heart. It included:

Better roads

We proposed major road schemes in the masterplan both of which are vital to the vision we have to create more capacity on our roads.

A major new road linking Preston and southern Fylde to the M55 and associated link roads.
Capacity upgrades to accommodate more traffic along the A582 between Cuerden and the A59 at Penwortham.
The completion of the Penwortham Bypass with a direct link between the A582 Broad Oak roundabout and A59 west of Penwortham.
Providing critical congestion relief on the A6 to the north of Preston by building the Broughton Bypass.

Better public transport

We proposed improvements to the main railway stations, bus corridors and dedicated road space for public transport once the new distributor roads are open.

An investment focus on nine ‘public transport priority corridors’ that follow all the main routes into Preston city centre, from Moss Side, Hutton, Warton, North West Preston, Broughton, Longridge and Chorley, as well as the route through Euxton/Buckshaw Village between Leyland and Chorley.
Several of these corridors could also see road space reallocated to public transport and the introduction of more bus-only lanes to improve reliability and speed up journeys.
Improvements to rail stations at Preston, Leyland and Chorley to make them more attractive and expand capacity, and a new ‘parkway’ station to serve North West Preston would be pursued at Cottam.

Better public space

We wanted to provide a transport network that made walking, cycling and public transport an easy and obvious way to travel in the future.

More space to be given over to pedestrians and cyclists and to greening our public spaces in areas such as Seven Stars, Hough Lane and Towngate, Tardy Gate, Bamber Bridge, Penwortham, Lane Ends, Broughton, Ribbleton Lane and New Hall Lane.