Penwortham Bypass gets green light

The proposed Penwortham Bypass, which will connect the A59 with the A582, has been granted planning approval by Lancashire County Council's Development Control Committee.

Work is set to begin on the £17.5m project before the end of the year, taking around 20 months to complete.

The ultimate goal is to reduce congestion and queuing through the centre of Penwortham, especially at peak times. Cycling, walking and public transport routes will be improved, too.

The Penwortham Bypass is one of several major road schemes being funded through the £434m Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal, an agreement between Lancashire Enterprise Partnership and Preston City Council, South Ribble Borough Council and Lancashire County Council, along with central government and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

County Councillor Keith Iddon, cabinet member for highways and transport, said the City Deal's influence had been able to kick-start the project, which had been under discussion for several years.

"The bypass is a key City Deal project, along with the Broughton Bypass which is nearing completion and scheduled to open in October," he said. "We're already seeing a lot of progress from our City Deal, which will transform the area and bring new jobs and economic growth."