Drivers warned not to use '˜Bay Gateway' before official opening

The junction of the new Bay Gateway road at Lancaster and Morecambe College

A number of vehicles have already tried to use the Bay Gateway before its official opening on Monday, October 31 with at least one being reported to the police.

A spokesman for road builders Costain has warned of the potential dangers if people try to use the long-awaited road before it is fully finished.

Meanwhile the final touches are being made to the road ahead of traffic being allowed to use it for the first time and everything appears to be on schedule.

The final items of programmed work include installing the vehicle restraint barrier along the road and street lighting.

Road closures before the road opens are at the M6 southbound on and off slip (closed tonight from 8pm to 6am) and the M6 northbound on and off slip will be closed on Friday, October 28 overnight from 8pm to 6am.

Then on Saturday, members of the public will get the chance to walk the road for charity.

A ‘Welly Walk’ from Lancaster and Morecambe College to Halton will raise money for charities including St John’s Hospice, Unique Kidz, Animal Care, Cancer Care, Galloway’s Society for the Blind, Lancaster Boys and Girls Club, the Friends of Bay Cottage Play Area and Claver Hill community farm in Lancaster. It starts at 11am.

A snack and hot drink will await walkers at the end of the walk and a coach back to the start. Halloween fancy dress is encouraged and there will be a prize for the best dressed person.

The cost is £10 for adults, £7.50 for children and £30 for a family of up to five people.

The road is smoothly surfaced and suitable for prams, pushchairs, buggies, wheelchairs and mobility equipment, so wellies won’t actually be needed.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said a ‘low key ribbon cutting’ event was scheduled for around 10am on Monday at the Costain base at Halton, attended by VIPs.

He said the first traffic is due to be allowed onto the road at around noon.

A bigger official opening event is due to take place in 2017.

Keep an eye on www.thevisitor.co.uk and our Facebook page later this week for exclusive reports, photos and videos from the Bay Gateway ahead of its opening.