The multi-million pound improvement works planned for Friargate South, Cheapside/Market Place and Orchard Street are due to get underway on Monday 6 July.

Works carried out by Main Contractor Eric Wright Civil Engineering (EWCE), will improve pedestrian spaces, the street scenery and cycle paths in this part of the city, as well as making the city centre a brighter, safer and more attractive place to visit. The works include:

• New paving
• Resurfacing roads
• New trees, planting and street furniture

The works will be carried out in a phased sequence across the different streets for approximately 12 months.

Vehicular access into and through the Harris Quarter will change for a period of approximately 20 weeks involving some temporary road closures and diversions in two phases.

Phase One works will commence on Cheapside on Monday 6 July and will take approximately 3 months. Works will also start on one side of Orchard Street as part of the initial phase. The site compound for EWCE will be located on Chapel Yard car park, near to the Mobility Centre.

There will be some disruption, but contractors will strive to minimise disruption where possible.

Local businesses and traders who will be directly affected by the improvement works in the area have already been consulted by the project team and have an opportunity to speak to the project team and view the plans in more detail ahead of works commencing.

Councillor Valerie Wise, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building and City Regeneration at Preston City Council said:

"Upgrades to this part of the city are much needed to bring it line with other parts of the city including Fishergate and Friargate North that have already been modernised and transformed.

"The detailed phasing of the works has been planned with businesses and traders in mind to keep 'business as usual' a priority throughout the works and we ask everyone to please bear with us whilst we improve what is a very busy retail and visitor destination in the city."

Gavin Hulme, Managing Director at Eric Wright Civil Engineering, said:

"We are pleased to be working in partnership with Preston City Council once again to deliver these important improvement works. We recognise that it is a busy and vibrant part of the city, and we will be working alongside the Council to minimise any disruptions."

The improvement works are part of Preston City Council's Active Preston: Transforming our Community Infrastructure programme and part of the £20m Local Regeneration Fund (formerly Levelling-Up funding) secured by the city council from Central Government in 2023.

For more details visit Invest Preston - Transforming Friargate South Project.

Further information

Preston City Council is an innovative and forward-looking authority, championing a pioneering city. We are committed to delivering sustainable public services and developing long-term solutions that build community wealth and improve the quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors alike.

Our vision is of a fair and resilient economy in a culturally rich, healthy, clean and green city where everyone matters. At the heart of this is our commitment to Community Wealth Building - an approach that ensures the economic system generates shared prosperity and lasting benefits for the whole community.