Work to start on safety improvements at Manchester Road zebra crossing in Preston

Saturday, 20 July 2024 08:45

Plans to make major safety improvements at a zebra crossing near Cardinal Newman College in Preston have been approved, with work due to take place over the summer holidays.

The zebra crossing on Manchester Road will be widened and relocated to improve sight lines at the junction of Larkhill Road. A 'raised table' – a type of speed bump – will also be installed at this location.

An urgent decision has been taken by the council to approve the plans to ensure the work is completed before the start of the autumn term. The work has been brought forward in response to safety concerns.

The scheme and its preparation will be predominately funded via a contribution of £105,000 from Cardinal Newman College, which it approved in 2023 to help improve pedestrian routes around the college

County Councillor Rupert Swarbrick, cabinet member for Highways and Transport, said:

"We've been working with Cardinal Newman College to progress the improvements at this location to make it safer for students and others to cross the road and to help ease overcrowding from students on approaches to the crossing.

"We've given these proposals much consideration and listened to various highways and road safety experts, in addition to the views expressed by the public, before progressing the plans.

"The design we are moving forward with is appropriate for Manchester Road, where the speed limit is 20mph, and it's important that we do not delay so that we can complete the safety improvements in time for the new academic year.

"We have considered requests for a signalised crossing, however this is likely to lead to further safety issues at peak times due to people continuing to cross when they shouldn't."