Work to begin on Preston city centre transformation

Work on the multi-million-pound transformation of Preston city centre will begin in July.

Contractor Eric Wright Civil Engineering will deliver improvements including new paving in pedestrian areas, road resurfacing, tree planting and new street furniture across Friargate South, Cheapside/Market Place and Orchard Street.

The programme, which forms part of Preston City Council's £20m local regeneration fund programme, is expected to take around 12 months and will be carried out in phases.

Access for vehicles in and around the Harris Quarter will change for around 20 weeks, with temporary road closures and diversions introduced in two phases.

Counc Valerie Wise, deputy leader and cabinet member for community wealth building and city regeneration at Preston City Council, said: "These improvements are long overdue and will bring this part of the city in line with other areas, including Fishergate and Friargate North, which have already been modernised.

"The works have been carefully phased in consultation with businesses and traders to keep business disruption to a minimum, and we ask everyone to bear with us while we improve one of Preston's busiest retail and visitor destinations."

Gavin Hulme, managing director of Eric Wright Civil Engineering, said: "We are pleased to be working in partnership with Preston City Council once again to deliver these important improvements.

"We recognise this is a busy and vibrant part of the city and will work closely with the council to minimise disruption throughout the project."

The improvements form part of Preston City Council's Active Preston: Transforming our Community Infrastructure programme and are funded through the £20m local regeneration fund, formerly known as Levelling Up funding, secured from the government in 2023.