Funding has been approved for the Preston Western Distributor road scheme

A major road scheme to the west of Preston has received the final funding from the government to make it happen.

The £200m Preston Western Distributor will run from the M55 motorway to a new junction with Blackpool Road at Lea.

It will particularly benefit areas of the city including Fulwood, Ingol, Cottam, Lea and Ashton, and the wider area including the Enterprise Zone at Warton.

The road scheme also includes two new roads connecting to the current and future development of thousands of homes in the Northwest Preston Strategic Housing Site.

These new roads will add additional capacity and help to reduce congestion and queuing on parts of the road network.

County Councillor Geoff Driver CBE, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “This is a major new road scheme that will significantly improve access around the city, as well as creating a new connection onto the national motorway network.

“We’re delighted that the government has confirmed the final funding that we need to deliver these roads. We can now commence the construction work very soon.

“This road scheme will open up new business opportunities, improve access to existing and proposed housing sites and reduce congestion on other parts of the network by providing more options for how people can get around.”