What is happening with the Croston Road project?

A long-planned overhaul to reduce congestion on one of the busiest routes in central Lancashire has moved a step closer after planning permission was granted for a key element of the scheme.

A double roundabout on the A582 in South Ribble will be replaced with new so-called smart junctions as part of plans to improve journey times on the notoriously congested road.

Lancashire County Council's development control committee has now given the green light to the changes to the Croston Road junction in Farington.

It is part of a broader £77m revamp of the route between Lostock Hall and Penwortham.

The Croston Road project is part of a heavily scaled-back version of a longstanding vision to create a three-mile dual carriageway along the A582 – between Lostock Lane and the Broad Oak roundabout in Penwortham – first unveiled more than a decade ago.

However, following various challenges, Lancashire County Council revealed revised plans in 2024, which swerved a full dualling and instead focused on junction improvements and the use of traffic light technology to reduce the congestion.

It is that scheme which is now poised to be realised, 13 years after its more ambitious forerunner was mooted.

The twin roundabouts where the A582 meets Croston Road and Centurion Way will be replaced with three interlinked and signal-controlled T-junctions.

The roundabout at the junction of Lostock Lane, Farington Road, Stanifield Lane and Watkin Lane will be removed and replaced with a crossroads layout, but still controlled by signals.

A raft of traffic-calming measures along Leyland Road and Watkin Lane and the roundabout at the northern end of Leyland Road will be reconfigured.

The council says the works will discourage rat-running and promote cycling and walking.

It said traffic flow was expected to improve at the new junctions replacing the twin roundabouts where the A582 meets Croston Road and Centurion Way.

Buses and heavy goods vehicles will also be given priority at the traffic lights.

Centurion Way will be re-routed to enhance safety and six toucan crossings, which can be used by pedestrians and cyclists, will be installed.

Planting of greenery on sites away from the A582 will also be undertaken to fulfil a requirement for the scheme to deliver a 10% "net gain" in biodiversity compared to the existing land use.

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