Transport matters have heated up around Preston with both road and rail having big upgrades.
On the train the electrification to Manchester and Blackpool is going into its final phase in November with the closure of the line to Blackpool until November while Blackpool North Station is remodelled. The track to Manchester has had big works at Farnworth Tunnel, Bolton and Chorley. The completion of electrification is due in March and new, refurbished anyway, trains will be running on the summer timetable from May. This complements the electrification already completed between Wigan and Liverpool and Wigan to Manchester.
Preston Station October 2017
On the road the Broughton by-pass opened in October from the M55 junction to north of Broughton. Plans for another link from the M55 to the Blackpool Road junction of Riversway via Bartle are being finalised and a major stretch of new housing along the route is already well underway. Plans are also finalised for the Penwortham by-pass to the A59 west of Penwortham. All that’s needed now is a western crossing of the Ribble to create a circle around Preston.