New cycle link connects South Ribble and Preston railway station

A new cycleway and footpath linking South Ribble with Preston Railway Station has officially opened.

The new pathway, which runs underneath the East Cliff bridge, connects to an abandoned railway line which now provides a safe and picturesque walking and cycling route to South Ribble.

The new path will improve access between the popular Guild Wheel cycling and walking route and Preston city centre, as well as linking to parts of South Ribble across the river.

Work began at the end of March to create the new pathway between Butler Street and the path to South Ribble, linking to Preston Railway Station. It will improve access for people commuting to and from the city centre for work or leisure activities, with added benefits for health and wellbeing.

The work was carried out by Lancashire County Council and has been funded by the government's Transforming Cities Fund, which is specific funding for several schemes that aim to fill in the gaps between the rail station, bus station and the University of Lancashire campus.

Councillor Warren Goldsworthy, cabinet member for Highways and Transport at Lancashire County Council said: "The highly-anticipated Butler Street cycleway and footpath will formally connect Preston city centre and the railway station with Avenham Park, Miller Park, and South Ribble. It is the final piece of the jigsaw in creating a coherent, walkable, cyclable and integrated transport network across Preston City Centre."

Cllr Goldsworthy visited the new cycleway and footpath on October 22 to mark its official opening. He was joined by representatives from Preston City Council, Avanti West Coast, Network Rail and Community Rail Lancashire, who have all worked together to create the scheme.

Cllr Freddie Bailey, cabinet member for Environment and Community Safety at Preston City Council, said: “These cycle improvements are great addition to the city and support our ‘Active Preston’ programme which includes various projects aimed at creating a healthier, more liveable and sustainably connected city.

"We want to encourage more people to walk and cycle with cleaner, safer, easily accessible options to choose from, to help the overall health and wellbeing for our residents.” 

Jill Stephenson, Principal Development Manager for Network Rail: “We are thrilled to have played a part in the delivery of the new spoke connecting the Guild Wheel to Preston station, which will help to promote healthy and sustainable active travel journeys.”

Other schemes that have been delivered through The Transforming Cities Fund include improvements on Ringway to improve walking, and providing links to the university, bus station and railway station for cycling. It has also funded the pedestrianisation of Friargate to encourage a Continental café culture and make it a more appealing place to visit, as well as improvements to the bus network to improve bus reliability and ease congestion.

Kathryn O’Brien, Customer Experience Director at Avanti West Coast, who attended the opening, said: “Preston is a key hub on the West Coast Main Line and we’re pleased even more sustainable transport options are now available here to the hundreds of thousands of people that travel to and from the city each year by rail.

"This new cycle link will support our commitment to make end-to-end journeys seamless.

"By connecting into Preston station, it offers visitors and local people the opportunity to enjoy sustainable journeys more easily – whether it’s travelling for work or exploring the area on two wheels.”

Richard Watts, Chair at Community Rail Lancashire added: "Community Rail Lancashire welcomes the completion of the path and cycleway to the railway station. It creates a safe off-road route from a large area and will encourage more people to use Active Travel means to reach the station. We will do all we can to work with Lancashire County Council and railway industry to promote this useful link."