Development of the grandly titled Fishergate Central Gateway will be carried out with the aid of funding from European Regional Development Fund and will be done in three phases as follows:

Phase 1 – 1st March to approx Mid July 2013 (approx 20 weeks) – Work will begin on the junction of Corporation Street and Ringway. The work will extend along Ringway’s footways to Friargate and up Corporation Street towards the railway station as far as Charnley Street.  Pavements will be widened and the surface replaced with granite stone, railings removed and new pedestrian crossings will provide easy to use straight across paths. During the works all traffic movements will be catered for whilst pedestrians will be provided with safe signed alternative routes around the works.  All businesses will remain open and accessible as usual.

Phase 2 – July/Aug 2013 to mid November 2013 (approx 18 weeks) –Work will begin at Lune Street and will include widening pavements, removing railings and reducing street clutter.  Pavements on both sides of the road will be widened and improved while the road in between will be narrowed but still open for vehicles.  The design proposals are considering the removal of all traffic signals to create a shared space environment making it easier for pedestrians.  Work will continue from Lune Street back along Fishergate towards the railway station for approx 18 weeks. There will then be a break for the busy Christmas shopping period. All businesses will remain open and accessible as usual.

Phase 3 – Jan 2014 to July 2014 (approx 20 weeks) – Work will begin again from where it last stopped for the Christmas period.  Pavement improvements will continue to the railway station and down to Pitt Street. It will also continue into and Corporation Street up to the Preston City Mission building (where it first started).  Again, the design proposals are considering the removal of all traffic signals at the Fishergate, Corporation Street, Butler Street junction creating an attractive shared space environment. All businesses will remain open and accessible as usual.