Improvements to Skew Bridge and Preston Road
We are carrying out work to improve Grimsargh Skew Bridge and nearby junctions on Preston Road.
This project will improve journey times for everyone and is being funded as part of our Bus Service Improvement Plan to make public transport more reliable.
Planned work
- Widening the bridge so that all vehicles, including larger vehicles such as buses and HGVs, can easily cross the bridge in both directions without having to give way.
- Installing a pedestrian crossing near Grimsargh St Michael’s Primary School to ensure people can cross safely.
- Building two mini-roundabouts at the junctions with Ribblesdale Drive and Whittingham Lane to better manage the flow of traffic and improve residential access.
View a detailed plan of the improvements
Traffic management
We recognise the importance of Preston Road to local travel, and are working to minimise the need for road closures and temporary traffic lights.
The temporary lights are not currently in place but will be needed again from Tuesday 10 March for up to 6 weeks to ensure the safety of people working directly beneath the parapet wall.
Work to date (updated Wednesday 4 February)
June 2025 - December 2025
The initial phase of work involved demolishing the western footbridge to prepare for the new widened section to be installed. This was followed by work to reroute historic drainage away from the footings needed to support the bridge widening and piling work for the new foundations. A new mini-roundabout was installed at the junction of Whittingham Lane and Preston Road.
January 2026 – February 2026
Work is currently focused on preparing the foundations of the bridge to accommodate the widened section.
Future work which may affect your journey
March
Tuesday 10 March for up to 6 weeks: Temporary traffic lights will be needed to control traffic and create a safe working area at either side of the bridge. Work will be taking place to the kerbs and pavements, and to remove the existing parapet wall. Work will also take place to install a pedestrian crossing near the school.
April
Further overnight closures will be needed around mid-April for up to two weeks for construction of the new road surface and replacement of road markings. These overnight closures will affect the final four bus services each evening between Longridge and Preston. Exact dates of the closures and passenger information will be shared closer to the time. A new mini-roundabout will also be installed at the junction of Preston Road and Ribblesdale Drive.
We expect to reopen Preston Road to normal traffic by the end of April 2026.
Diversions
Vehicles
During the closure of Preston Road a signed diversion suitable for all vehicles, including HGVs, will be in place via Preston Road (B6242), James Towers Way (A6), Whittingham Lane (B5269), and Cumeragh Lane (B5269).
Local traffic is expected to use a shorter route via Whittingham Lane (C359), Haighton Green Lane (C349), D’urton Lane (C349), Eastway (B6241), Andertons Way (B6242), Bluebell Way (B6242), Longridge Road/Preston Road (B6243) and vice versa.
Local drivers can use shorter routes.
Pedestrians
Pedestrian access along Preston Road will stay open via the Skew Bridge footbridge throughout the work, though there may be short-term diversions.
Pedestrian routes to St Michael's Primary School from the car park of Grimsargh St Michael’s Church will remain largely unchanged, while those under the bridge will be redirected to a temporary controlled crossing next to the school. This will later be upgraded to become the new permanent pedestrian crossing.
Public transport
We will update this website with a link to the full details and service timetables when available nearer the time of the closure.
Contact us
If you have any queries please email grimsarghbridge@lancashire.gov.uk or call our customer service centre on 0300 123 6780.