Almost £2 million for Broughton village

Almost £2 million worth of improvements for Broughton village will be discussed by Lancashire County Council’s cabinet soon.

The planning consent for James Towers Way, previously known as the Broughton Bypass, included a condition for proposals to be developed for cycling, walking and environmental enhancements along Garstang Road.

Measures will be introduced to discourage vehicles from driving unnecessarily through the village, encouraging use of James Towers Way and improving the centre of the village.

There will also be improvements for pedestrians and cyclists, including part of the Preston Guild Wheel, with a separate footway and cycle track created along Garstrang Road and a controlled crossing giving priority to cyclists and pedestrians.

The original proposals were approved by the county council as planning authority in April 2017, the plans have been updated and will need approval before work can begin in either spring or summer.

The £1.85 million for these measures have been provided through the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal Infrastructure Delivery Fund.

The county council’s cabinet is asked to agree to the submission of these measures for planning approval.

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.

Keith Iddon, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “This package of measures will improve the centre of Broughton, making it a more welcoming place, while also improving walking and cycling facilities, and putting in measures to encourage better driving and reduce unnecessary journeys through the village.

"This work is part of the planning permission for James Towers Way, which has already made a huge difference in the centre of Broughton, where queues have come down and travel times have improved for many people.

"Once we've got agreement from the Cabinet for the proposals, it shouldn't be long until this work can start and we'll see even more positives for people in Broughton.”