AMENDED plans for the Broughton Bypass have been approved by Lancashire County Council.

The decision was taken at last Friday's highways and transportation general purposes sub-committee.

The main change from the scheme adopted in 1994 is that a single, rather than dual, carriageway is now planned.

Apart from a slight variation at its northern end, where a roundabout will be provided instead of the original free-flow junction, the alignment of the bypass is very similar.

The sub-committee was satisfied that the reduction in road width would not result in congestion, even allowing for additional traffic that could be generated by new houses to be built at Whittingham Hospital, Goosnargh and Broughton.

The amended design of junctions is said to be consistent with government policy on new roads and will improve conditions in Broughton. A request to adopt and safeguard the route of the propose bypass for development control purposes will now be made to the planning, industrial development and tourism committee.

Preston Borough Council will also be asked to include the revised scheme in the Preston Local Plan.

A planning application for the amended proposals will be submitted to the county council early next year, when a public exhibition will be held in Broughton.

Local people will be able to view the new scheme, talk to county council staff and make comments.

Highways and transportation general purposes sub-committee chairman, County Councillor Brian Johnson, said: "For a number of years there has been considerable uncertainty about the prospects for the Broughton Bypass.

"I am hopeful that today's decision, together with that of Preston Borough Council to include the scheme in their Local Plan, will mean that we can now move forward to securing this much-needed relief for Broughton at the earliest opportunity."

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