Work set to begin on busy route through South Ribble and Preston

Work on a project that will transform one of the busiest routes between South Ribble and Preston is set to begin in a matter of weeks.

Lancashire County Council says preparations for a revamp of the A582 between Lostock Hall and the ‘tank roundabout’ at Farington Moss are expected to start sometime during the autumn – more than six months sooner than expected.

The authority had previously forecast that the scheme would get under way next summer once the government had officially confirmed its provisionally-promised majority share of the estimated £77.3m total cost.

However, cabinet members have now agreed to use already approved local funding – at the county council’s own risk – in order to begin so-called ‘enabling works’.

The main elements of the project are focused on a radical redesign of three key junctions on the A582 itself – including the removal of the double roundabout junction and the introduction of ‘smart’ traffic lights where Flensburg Way, Farington Road, Croston Road and Centurion Way all meet.

The overarching scheme, however, also involves changes to the M65 terminus roundabout at Cuerden and the nearby A6 junction with the A582 at Lostock Lane – along with a series of traffic-calming measures along the B5254 corridor between Lostock Hall and Penwortham. It is these aspects of the revamp that will be subject to the early preparatory work, which is expected to take six months to complete.

The full remodelling of the M65 roundabout and part of the traffic light-controlled interchange where the A6 meets the A582 are required to facilitate the huge Lancashire Central industrial, retail and leisure development, which is to be built on land between Wigan Road and Stanifield Lane – and was once earmarked for a new IKEA store.

A report presented to cabinet members stated that a decision to proceed with enabling works at those locations sends “a clear message to the property, occupier and investment market[s]” – to which Lancashire Central is being pitched – that there is “confidence in delivery” ahead of the main highway works starting in summer 2027.

The move would also demonstrate to the government “a commitment to delivering the scheme” in advance of a full business case being submitted for approval next spring, it added – while “minimising disruption during the main construction” phase.

Meanwhile, members were told the traffic-calming features on local routes would deter drivers from using them as rat-run alternatives to avoid any congestion caused by the main works.

The Department for Transport earmarked £57.9m for the A582 project – known as the South Ribble Western Distributor scheme – in July 2025. That was on the basis of an outline business case drawn up by the county council detailing its plans to reduce congestion on the often slow-moving route.

However, the funding will not be finalised until the full business case gets the green light.

Back in March 2024, the then Conservative-run Lancashire County Council committed £19m from its own coffers towards the project, £6m of which was later set aside for development work and acquiring the land needed for some of the junction upgrades.

The current Reform UK cabinet has now approved the use of a further £7m from that County Hall ‘match funding’ pot on the enabling works – as well as permitting senior offices to release the remaining £6m, should it prove necessary.

The portfolio holder for highways and transport, Warren Goldsworthy, told the meeting at which the decision was taken that laying the groundwork for the project sooner than planned would provide “inflationary benefits” by reducing costs that would otherwise increase over time.

As things stand, there is already a £388,000 shortfall in the budget – before the effects of inflation since approval of the online business case last year have been factored in.

County Cllr Goldsworthy said the accelerated plans showed that the county council was “committed to bringing forward growth and investment – and that we are an authority that can deliver against our ambitions”.

Until two years ago, those ambitions included turning the entire stretch of the A582 between Lostock Hall and the Broad Oak roundabout in Penwortham into a dual carriageway.

However, with funding for that costly vision – which would have demanded construction of a new bridge over the West Coast Mainline railway – failing to materialise in the decade since it was first mooted, the plug was effectively pulled on the plans in July 2024.

It was decided by the then Tory cabinet at County Hall that the junction upgrades now on the horizon would be pursued instead – although the dualling officially remains a long-term aspiration.

WHAT’S HAPPENING WHERE – AND WHEN?

Enabling works – autumn 2026

These will take place at three locations where more substantial work will be undertaken at a later date (see next section below).

M65 terminus roundabout

Reshaping the roundabout and the attenuation pond within it, introducing new landscaping, ditches and drainage infrastructure.

A6/A582 (Lostock Lane) junction

Diversion of utilities infrastructure.

Traffic-calming and road safety upgrades on local routes on and around the B5254

Minor traffic-calming measures, new pedestrian crossings and safety improvements along the Pope Lane, Coote Lane and Croston Road corridors and a section of Leyland Road through Middleforth. The proportion of the overall suite of changes to local routes that will be delivered at the enabling works stage has not been revealed (full details of the overall plans in the next section).

Traffic regulation orders  to implement the changes will have to be created and consulted upon before work on these measures can begin.

Full A582/A6 project – from summer 2027

The main phase of the project will get under way only once the government has approved the full business case. It will include:

A582 Flensburg Way/Farington Road/Croston Road/Centurion Way junction

Removal of the two roundabouts, within yards of each other, that currently control traffic where the A582 – Flensburg Way and Farington Road – meets Croston Road and Centurion Way in Farington. They will be replaced with three T-shaped signal-controlled junctions, with co-ordinated ‘green wave’ traffic lights along the A582. Vehicles on the main route will be able to pass through the junctions in one movement, rather than having to stop and give way at two separate points, as under the current layout.

New technology will also detect HGVs approaching the junction, enabling the traffic lights to be sequenced so as to reduce the need for lorries to decelerate. For pedestrians and cyclists, a new signal-controlled crossing will be introduced on the A582 itself and three of the connecting roads.

A582 Farington Road/Lostock Lane/Stanifield Lane/Watkin Lane junction

The current signal-controlled roundabout will be removed and a crossroads created, also operated by traffic lights. On Lostock Lane, between the A6 and Stanifield Lane, an additional westbound lane will be created, together with a new pedestrian crossing on the A582 between Todd Lane South and Old School Lane.

M65 terminus roundabout

Traffic lights will be installed on all approaches to the roundabout, along with a new exit to the west, providing access to the Lancashire Central development. Also, the existing approach for motorway-bound traffic will be separated into two – one for vehicles heading for the M65 and the other for those wanting the M6.

A6/A582 (Lostock Lane) roundabout

Widening of the A6 northbound approach to three lanes and the introduction of a fourth lane on the A6 westbound approach to the roundabout. An additional left turn lane from the A6 northbound to the A582 westbound, with the manoeuvre being brought under signal control.

B5254 Leyland Road roundabout

The current roundabout at the northern end of Leyland Road, close to Golden Way, will be converted into a traffic light-controlled junction. The change will include the introduction of a bus gate that will enable buses to turn left into the southbound section of Leyland Road – coming from the direction of Liverpool Road – as well as to make a right-turn exit from Leyland Road heading north.

For all other vehicles, access to Leyland Road southbound will only be available by turning right, from the direction of Golden Way. Meanwhile, motorists exiting the road at that point will have to make a left turn towards Golden Way.

B5254 Leyland Road/Watkin Lane corridor, Lower Penwortham to Lostock Hall

Plans include:

***improved walking and cycling crossings along Leyland Road;

***creating a dedicated cycleway on Leyland Road between Holme Road and Riverside Road, with a new ‘raised table’ introduced at the latter junction;

***upgrading the bus stops along Leyland Road to create accessible boarding points and shelters;

***providing live information boards at bus stops which show when the next bus will arrive there;

***the introduction of new technology that will give buses priority through junctions.

Pope Lane

Installation of raised junction tables and zebra crossings.

Guild Way and Strand Road junction, Preston

The addition of a lane to Guild Way and the Guild Way slip road from the junction with Strand Road, coupled with new traffic signal technology, to ease congestion and improve access to the A582 and A59 for drivers.

M6 junction works – date to be confirmed

A separate package of changes connected to the Lancashire Central development.

***M6 junction 29 roundabout (Bamber Bridge interchange north) – traffic lights to be installed at the end of the M6 southbound exit slip road, which will also be widened to three lanes at the approach to the roundabout. A signal crossing for pedestrians and cyclists will be introduced at the end of this slip, as well as at the start of the M6 northbound entry slip. A free- flow left turn lane from the A6 westbound to the M6 southbound will be added, along with an additional lane on the A6 eastbound approach.

***M6 junction 29 roundabout (Bamber Bridge interchange south) – traffic lights to be installed at the end of the northbound exit slip road.

Road upgrades ‘vital’ to major development site

The long-planned Lancashire Central development is set to see the creation of 174,000 square metres of industrial, storage and office space – along with retail units, food and drink outlets, a drive-through restaurant, car showrooms, a leisure centre, gym, health facility and creche.

Conceived as a replacement for a proposed new IKEA store at Cuerden, which was abandoned in 2018, the scheme will span a half-mile plot of land between Stanfield Lane and the M65 terminus roundabout. It is estimated that the completed development will create anything between between 2,200 and 5,600 full-time equivalent jobs.

Lancashire County Council cabinet member for economic development and growth Brian Moore said the A582-related works are “a vital part of unlocking [the site’s] potential”.

He added: “Lancashire Central represents one of the most significant development opportunities not only in Central Lancashire, but across the county as a whole.

“The site has the potential to create thousands of new jobs and generate hundreds of millions of pounds in economic benefit for Lancashire, attracting businesses, investment and long-term growth to the area.”