Issue details

Approval is sought to amend the adopted and protected route for the Penwortham Bypass as shown on the plan at Appendix 'A'.

Route adoption and protection was approved in March 2015 following public consultation on a single alignment rather than design options for the route, for the reasons that, as described in this report, an indicative route showing a direct link between the A582 at Broad Oak roundabout and the A59 west of Penwortham at Howick Cross had already been identified in the published Central Lancashire Highways and Transport Masterplan. It also provided the opportunity to rescind the approval of the east west route which was then the adopted route.

The proposed scheme provided a highway solution to deliver the aims of the Central Highways and Transport Masterplan providing approval and protection to develop the scheme. Further work, particularly in relation to traffic modelling, has provided the opportunity to amend the proposal in two areas:

• Replace the proposed roundabout junction on the A59 with a signal controlled T junction resulting in improved and simpler pedestrian and cycling facilities, reduced land take and increased promotion of the bypass as a route.

• Reconfigure the A582 junction to accommodate the forecast future traffic growth in particular on the northern arm of the roundabout. This does incur a small amount of additional land take.

This is deemed to be a Key Decision and the provisions of Standing Order No. 25 have been complied with.