Fylde MP Mark Menzies has highlighted the economic benefits of road infrastructure at the opening of the new Preston West Distributor Road. The £207 million project opened on Monday following an official ceremony at Bartle Hall, attended by the Roads Minister Richard Holden and the Conservative leader of Lancashire County Council, with the first public traffic taking to the road shortly afterwards.
After watching the first cars travel on the road, Mr Menzies said “today’s opening creates fantastic new opportunities for Fylde, attracting investment in employment, housing, and supporting our economic growth.
For example, it is now possible to travel by dual carriageway from the M55 pretty much to the gates of the Warton Enterprise Zone, already home to BAE Systems, and I hope that this improved connectivity will encourage more businesses to locate there.”
Construction on the road began in 2019 and has been delivered on time and on budget, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and more recently by inflationary pressure, something Mr Menzies was quick to express his gratitude for, saying
“It has been fantastic to see the road come to life over recent months at such speed and scale and my thanks must go out to those at Lancashire County Council, Highways England and all those working onsite who have made it happen”.
“The M55 has long been waiting for its missing Junction 2, the absence of which has had an impact on local communities. Today that changes, thanks to a project that will reduce congestion on our rural roads, particularly around Wrea Green, and gives the growing populations in Lea and Cottam quicker access to the motorway than ever before.”
Highways England and Lancashire County Council’s work remains ongoing, with two further projects still under construction in Lytham St Annes and Singleton, both of which are expected to open in the coming months.
“This is just the start of a fantastic new era for Fylde. Government funding is helping deliver three major road infrastructure projects for Fylde, worth nearly £400 million in total, and I cannot wait to see the M55 Link Road and A585 Singleton Bypass similarly open and operational”