Costain have been appointed to design and deliver a sustainable and innovative new road scheme that will transform travel in south Lancaster
This collaborative Lancashire County Council led project includes a £100m highways infrastructure programme, a new layout for junction 33 of the M6, link road and access to the proposed Bailrigg Garden Village.
Experienced in constructing major road building projects, it is down to Costain to develop the plans for the new road scheme. Once planning has been secured, the company will provide detailed design and stakeholder engagement, as well as the physical construction of the new road scheme.
The new road scheme will enhance travel in the area
Local authority director from Costain, Ian Richardson, said:
“This project will support economic growth in the region by providing an accessible, sustainable, and integrated road network. Collaborating with the county council on this scheme provides an opportunity to introduce specialist expertise to develop ground-breaking zero carbon solutions that improve the lives of the people who live and work in south Lancaster.”
County councillor Aidy Riggott, Cabinet member for economic development and growth at Lancashire County Council, added:
“By bringing in Costain, we will be utilising their extensive experience on other schemes to develop this exciting programme of transport improvement work. Our bold plans will help people to get around more easily, reduce congestion and unlocking sites for new homes for workers and their families in this growing city.”
Costain has previous experience working with the county council. For example, it was involved with the award-winning Bay Gateway in the Lancaster areas, which opened in 2016. The Bay Gateway was significant because it linked junction 34 of the M6 with the Morecambe and Heysham peninsula.
What is the South Lancaster Growth Catalyst programme?
The new scheme will build on the successful and ongoing delivery of the Preston Western Distributor Road project and form part of the overall South Lancaster Growth Catalyst programme.
The South Lancaster Growth Catalyst programme includes:
- Reconfiguration of M6 junction 33 to reduce traffic in Galgate
- West Coast Mainline underpass providing access to the proposed Bailrigg Garden Village
- Improvements to Hazelrigg Lane
- A new road through Bailrigg Garden Village/South Lancaster Strategic Growth Area
- A new canal bridge
- A new Park & Ride facility
- Changes to Lancaster’s one-way system to create bus priority routes and car-free areas
- Cycle ‘superhighway’ linking the city centre with the university, the Health Innovation Campus, and the Bailrigg Garden Village/South Lancaster Strategic Growth Area
These proposals are still in the development stage and will need to go through full public consultation. Planning approval will be required before any construction work can begin.
