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.
Work to date (updated Tuesday 14 April)
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
This phase of work focused on preparing the foundations of the bridge to accommodate the widened section.
March 2026
The beams needed to support the widened section were lifted in, the old parapet wall was removed, and work began on the new kerbs, pavements.
Future work which may affect your journey
April
Overnight closures of Preston Road are planned on the following dates for construction of the new road surface and replacement of road markings. The road will be closed from 10pm until 5:45am each night.
Monday 27 April, Tuesday 28 April, Wednesday 29 April, Thursday 30 April, Friday 1 May, Tuesday 5 May, Wednesday 6 May, Thursday 7 May, Friday 8 May.
Temporary lights are currently in place over the bridge to ensure the safety of people working close to the road. We are planning to reopen Preston Road to normal traffic following the completion of this work.
Public transport
The overnight road closures will affect some early and late services between Preston and Longridge.
When Preston Road is closed Service 1 operated by Stagecoach will not be able to serve Grimsargh.
Services departing Longridge Post Office from 21.54 onwards will divert via the A6 (Garstang Road) and Whittingham Lane.
From Preston Bus Station, from the 21.55 departure onwards there will be two vehicles used for each departure, one vehicle will follow the diversion route via the A6 and Whittingham Lane, terminating at Longridge. The second vehicle will follow the usual route through Ribbleton to Red Scar, terminating at the Crematorium stop, before returning to Preston Bus Station to help passengers travelling to and from the industrial estate. Please take care to make sure you get on the correct bus.
The early morning 05.05 departure from Preston Bus Station will follow the diversion route, terminating at Longridge. It will not serve Ribbleton or Red Scar.
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.
Contact us
If you have any queries please email grimsarghbridge@lancashire.gov.uk or call our customer service centre on 0300 123 6780.