Public consultation opens into plans for M6 Junction 33 Link Road and Lancaster city centre transport changes

Public consultation is to take place into plans to radically change travel in Lancaster.
The proposals are part of a wider scheme looking at major transport improvements in Lancaster. Photo by Tom Morbey.The proposals are part of a wider scheme looking at major transport improvements in Lancaster. Photo by Tom Morbey.
The proposals are part of a wider scheme looking at major transport improvements in Lancaster. Photo by Tom Morbey.

Two proposals have initially been put forward for public discussion by Lancashire County Council as part of a wider scheme looking at major transport improvements in Lancaster.

The project aims to assist in the delivery of housing growth in Lancaster, by firstly focusing on the infrastructure needed in the south of the city, and secondly guiding the development of new communities and ensuring new homes are accessible by public transport and active travel.

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These infrastructure improvements for travel in Lancaster are:

The Link Road options. Photo from Lancashire County Council newsletter for residentsThe Link Road options. Photo from Lancashire County Council newsletter for residents
The Link Road options. Photo from Lancashire County Council newsletter for residents

*Reconfiguration of M6 Junction 33 - so that traffic does not have to pass through Galgate;

*Link Road - to provide a direct highway connection to the new motorway junction and improvements to the junction of the A6/Hazelrigg Lane; from Lancaster and the South Lancaster Strategic Growth Area.

*Lancaster City Centre Movement and Public Realm Strategy - to provide substantially enhanced public transport links between the university, new South Lancaster Strategic Growth Area and Lancaster city centre in an effort to encourage modal shift away from private vehicles. This will include reallocation of highway capacity for a new bus priority system through the city centre, with changes to the gyratory system in order to improve bus reliability and resilience and reduce journey times;

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*Cycle Superhighway – this will link South Lancaster Strategic Growth Area and the city centre, Lancaster University's Health Innovation Campus and the university itself. This will pave the way to transform it into a key sustainable travel corridor.

The proposals are part of a wider scheme looking at major transport improvements in Lancaster. Photo by Tom Morbey.The proposals are part of a wider scheme looking at major transport improvements in Lancaster. Photo by Tom Morbey.
The proposals are part of a wider scheme looking at major transport improvements in Lancaster. Photo by Tom Morbey.

*Other Schemes - Further measures as part of the Department for Transport Safer Roads Fund to include safety improvements at the Pointer Roundabout and average speed cameras between Galgate and the Pointer Roundabout to provide a safer environment along the A6 will be brought forward because funding has been secured. There is the potential for a Park and Ride facility in the vicinity of the reconfigured Junction 33 which will be evaluated in the future if deemed to be required.

The first schemes to be brought forward are the M6 Junction 33 Link Road/ Reconfiguration of M6 Junction 33 (M6 Junction 33 Link) and the Lancaster City Centre Movement and Public Realm Strategy.

The Lancaster Local Plan sets out the need for large amount of housing in south Lancaster. It is expected that more than 3,500 new homes could be built over the next 15 years on land to the west of the A6.

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Land would also be identified for further development beyond 2031. A further 750 homes are also planned off Bailrigg Lane between Scotforth and the university.

The potential scale of development in south Lancaster will see a significant increase in the number of journeys.

These are predicted to be both local and longer distance generated by the new housing and university expansion.

To enable and support these transformational proposals the county council has concluded that major improvement is necessary to the existing transport infrastructure that serves south Lancaster.

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The District of Lancaster Highways and Transport Masterplan has responded to the highways requirements by proposing to tackle access by road and ease existing congestion which occurs in the centre of Galgate.

The M6 Junction 33 link aims to create a highway connection to proposed housing areas including South Lancaster Strategic Growth Area, improve M6 Junction 33 and reduce traffic on the A6 and in Galgate to remove the Air Quality Management Area.

Meanwhile, the Lancaster City Centre Movement and Public Realm Strategy looks at the possibilities for a city centre with less traffic, better air quality and improved sustainable travel.

The consultation opens on October 26 and lasts until December 4. It will allow you to view six options for an M6 Junction 33 Link Road and eight options for the Lancaster City Centre Movement and Public Realm Strategy.

Go online here to find out more.