Improvements to Skew Bridge and Preston Road

Finishing works taking place May – June 2026

We are now in the final stages of the project to improve Grimsargh Skew Bridge and nearby junctions on Preston Road.

The major pieces of work to widen the bridge, install a new pedestrian crossing and build mini-roundabouts at two nearby junctions are now finished.

We're very grateful for your patience with the temporary lights and overnight closures which have been needed on Preston Road over the past few months. The good news is that there will be no further impact on traffic during the remainder of the work.

There are now just some more minor tasks left to finish in the surrounding area to make sure everything is left looking smart, tidy and in keeping with the village. Taken together, these finishing touches will help Grimsargh look its best again. We're expecting this to be completed around mid-June.

This includes:

  • Finishing the brickwork façade - We'll be carrying out some work to the side of the bridge and a small section of wall next to the school to make sure the brickwork matches the style of the original bridge using new, clean bricks.
  • Replacing the footpath beneath the bridge - This footpath which provides pedestrian access to the school was removed to make way for our excavations and will be replaced before we leave site.
  • Finalising drainage connections – We've already repaired and improved the connection between the highway drainage system and the drainage system under the bridge, but to complete this we need to excavate down to the pipe which runs beneath the bridge to construct two new manholes.
  • Fencing at the school – We had to move a footpath and some fencing at the school to redirect pupils away from the work site during construction. We'll be replacing the footpath and constructing new fencing. Some of this will be taller than the original fence for security as we have moved the edge of the road closer to the school boundary. We'll also be laying new tarmac and replacing markings on part of the playground that was impacted by the project.
  • Reinstatement of site access and compound – The 'haul road' we constructed next to the footpath below the bridge needs to be returned to its previous state, requiring some excavation and relaying of topsoil. We also need to repair and replace some of the nearby fencing. The church car park may also require some work, and the site compound including cabins, storage and the temporary car park need to be removed.

Background to the scheme

The purpose of this project is to improve journey times for everyone and is being funded as part of our Bus Service Improvement Plan to make public transport more reliable.

  • We've widened 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. 
  • We've installed a pedestrian crossing near Grimsargh St Michael’s Primary School to ensure people can cross safely.
  • We’ve built mini-roundabouts at the junctions with Ribblesdale Drive and Whittingham Lane to better manage the flow of traffic and improve access for residents.

Contact us

If you have any queries please email grimsarghbridge@lancashire.gov.uk or call our customer service centre on 0300 123 6780.