New road scheme to be completed by summer 2021
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), working in partnership with Lancashire County Council (LCC), has released a map showing the final layout of the highways scheme which will transform the Adelphi Quarter in Preston.
The map outlines the new road layout, which will complement the University's circa £60 million Student Centre and new civic square, a key part of UCLan's transformational £200 million Campus Masterplan.
Scheduled to be completed by summer 2021, highways enabling works will now begin on site for the first phase of the highways scheme, resulting in a number of road closures and diversions.
Maudland Road will be closed from the week commencing June 3 for a two-year period, to accommodate a compound for Balfour Beatty which has been selected as the principal contractor to deliver the highways scheme.
Balfour Beatty will re-align the highways in the Adelphi Quarter in Preston, which will see high specification granite paving finishes in a bid to improve the look and feel of the University Campus.
Victoria Street, from its junctions with Adelphi Street and Moor Lane, will be closed week commencing June 10 for approximately nine weeks, where the road will be widened to allow for bus diversions. When the project is complete, Adelphi Street, from its junctions with St Peter's Street to Victoria Street, will become pedestrianised.
In addition, works to the Adelphi roundabout will take place from June 10 to facilitate new traffic diversions, that will be in place for a two-year period until completion of the scheme.
Full pedestrian access will be available throughout all phases of the highways works, but cyclists will be asked to dismount and use pedestrian routes until completion of the project.
Michael Ahern, UCLan's Chief Operating Officer, said: "We're pleased to be able to share details of the final highways scheme which will transform our campus and the Adelphi Quarter of Preston. This has been in planning for over three years, during which we have consulted consistently with members of the public, interest groups and our neighbours to create a scheme which not only improves the use of space but most importantly creates a safe environment for all.
"As you can imagine, this is a huge project which once completed will change the face of the University quarter forever. Inevitably there will be some disruption but we are working in close collaboration with our experienced contractor Balfour Beatty and Lancashire County Council on a detailed traffic management plan.
"We will ensure that throughout the highways works, any changes to traffic routes will be regularly and comprehensively communicated to ensure minimal inconvenience for road users.
"Access to businesses and properties will remain open although we would ask the public to allow more time to complete their journeys if they are in the vicinity of the University campus."
Balfour Beatty Project Manager, Graeme Moffat, said: "This award demonstrates our experience and our capability in delivering significant highways schemes in the region, having most recently completed a similar public realm project at Keel Square in Sunderland.
"The works, which are crucial to delivering the University of Central Lancashire's Masterplan, will see the re-alignment of the highways in the Adelphi Quarter in Preston as well as the development of a pedestrian priority scheme on Campus. Together with Lancashire County Council and the University we have worked closely during the planning stages to ensure minimal disruption to the travelling public throughout the project duration."
County Councillor Geoff Driver CBE, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "We've been working with the University to create a new layout in the Adelphi area, as part of their Masterplan, which will draw the City and University together. There will be some disruption while this work takes place, but we ask people to bear with us. By attracting students into the City, this creates new jobs, helps local businesses and benefits the wider economy. This is an exciting time, thanks to a major investment from the University that will benefit the City overall."
Any questions about the highways scheme and the work to be carried out can be sent to UCLanMasterPlan@uclan.ac.uk. Regular updates can be also found on the UCLan Masterplan website.