University Masterplan highways scheme to enter major new phase

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), working in partnership with Lancashire County Council (LCC) and contract partner Balfour Beatty, has announced plans for the start of a key phase of its Masterplan highways scheme.

The next nine-month phase is scheduled to start the week beginning November 25 – to be confirmed – when a new, two-way stretch of highway will open, directly linking Fylde Road with Corporation Street.

Once the new road has opened, Adelphi Street will close temporarily from the Adelphi Roundabout to St Peter’s Street.

Newly-constructed parking bays on St Peter’s Street will maintain access for customers using Adelphi Street businesses, all of which will remain open during these works.

From the week commencing December 9 – to be confirmed – Friargate will close at its junction with Hope Street, but access to businesses for deliveries will be maintained through a two-way loop on Friargate. For other motorists, all roads will remain open as normal, unless otherwise stated.

At the same time traffic restrictions will also be in place on Moor Lane and Walker Street.

While vehicle access for residents and businesses in Moor Lane and Walker Street will remain open, there will be no access from these routes through the Adelphi roundabout.

Alternative routes will be available around the Adelphi roundabout for cyclists, pedestrians and residents wanting to access Adelphi Street, Friargate, Moor Lane and Walker Street. Where relevant, cyclists should dismount and follow pedestrian routes.

All businesses on all affected roads will remain open as usual with full pedestrian access available.

Alternative bus routes and timetables have already been established, but users should contact their local bus companies for further details before the start of the new phase of works.

Michael Ahern, UCLan’s chief operating officer, said: “We’d like to thank everyone for their patience during the highways phase of our Masterplan project.

“We have worked extremely hard to ensure our plans keep disruption to a minimum and we are now entering a key stage which we aim to complete in nine months.

“Our priority is for the safety of the public, including motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users.

“We urge pedestrians and cyclists to follow the alternative routes that will be signposted around the work. For motorists, please allow extra time for your journey, plan your route and consider the diversions in place.”

He added: “We will ensure that during this important period of works any changes to traffic routes will be regularly and comprehensively communicated to the public.

“The highways project has been designed to complement the construction of our new £60m Student Centre and new civic square and the releasee of our new CGI images show vividly what we are all working towards, a new gateway to the city that links the university with the city like never before.”

To help with any queries from members of the public, an information drop-in will be available at the Balfour Beatty on-site base in Cold Bath Street adjacent to the Media Factory each Tuesday, starting from Tuesday, November 5, from 9am until 6.30pm.

The University would like to remind motorists that at weekends UCLan car parks are available and free for general public use.