Major Road Improvements Announced Near Botany Bay Business Park in Chorley
Lancashire County Council has approved a £2.2 million upgrade to two key roundabouts near Chorley, aimed at easing traffic congestion around the newly developed Botany Bay Business Park. The improvements come as national retailers Greggs, Costa Coffee, and Central Co-op have recently opened at the site, increasing traffic volume in the surrounding area.
The roundabouts set for improvement are located at the A6 junctions with Preston Road and Euxton Lane, near the Hartwood Hall pub and Chorley Hospital. The planned works include road widening, reconfigured layouts, and the installation of new traffic signals to improve vehicle flow and reduce peak-time congestion.
In addition to structural upgrades, the project will incorporate advanced traffic management systems. These include coordinated signal technology between the two junctions and enhanced queue detection systems to better manage traffic during busy periods. The central island at the Chorley Hospital roundabout will also be reprofiled to optimise movement.
The infrastructure improvements are being funded by FI Real Estate Management, the developer behind the 21-acre Botany Bay site. The investment forms part of the planning conditions agreed upon when Chorley Council approved the business park redevelopment in 2022.
Botany Bay Business Park represents a significant shift from the site’s previous retail-focused plans, which were abandoned in 2020 due to the impact of the pandemic. The current development now includes logistics, employment space, and select retail units, revitalising the historic Canal Mill site.
The council has not yet confirmed a start date or timeline for completion, but procurement for a contractor is under way. Once finished, the improvements are expected to significantly enhance traffic flow and support the continued growth of one of Chorley’s most important commercial corridors.
