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Works have been taking place along a stretch of Friargate between Ringway and the Flag Market ahead of major work due next year.
Preston City Council confirmed engineers were undertaking investigative works along the stretch of Friargate, known as Friargate South, and Orchard Street.
Improved pavements, new trees, seating and planting is all expected on the new-look Friargate South which was consulted on in recent months.
Read more: Friargate concerns as paramedics get stuck at new barriers after man collapses
Eric Wright Civil Engineering will be in Friargate South and Orchard Street over the coming weeks ‘digging small holes’ as part of the preparatory works for the scheme.
Cabinet member for community wealth building and city regeneration, councillor Valerie Wise, said: “The public may have seen some investigative works being carried out on Friargate South and Orchard Street this week.
“Contractors (Eric Wright Civil Engineering) are carrying out the works on behalf of Preston City Council, digging small trial holes along the stretch of pavement to test and check underground for any electrical cables, utilities and the general condition of the ground.
“These pre-construction ground investigations are being carried out ahead of a multi-million pound active travel improvement scheme that will be carried out later in 2025. This is a standard part of the contractors works package to ensure the job is designed and priced accurately.
“Lancashire County Council granted a permit to carry out the works. All the businesses in the vicinity were informed by the contractor prior to the works starting and works are due to complete at the beginning of November.”
The Friargate South scheme is the next stage of the Friargate North and Ringway works, which was undertaken by Lancashire County Council and ended up being delayed by around 18-months due to various construction issues.
Last month the city’s Peace Garden was restored and unveiled along with Friargate North being completed.
The county council said some final works on the safety bollards, installed close to the Peace Garden, had been taking place in recent weeks.
Cabinet member for highways and transport, county councillor Rupert Swarbrick, said: We completed the majority of the safety bollards ahead of International Peace Day on September 21. We ensured that there were no active works during the celebrations for this.
“After this, we had a number of additional bollards to install next to the Mobility Centre car park and have continued with this important safety work throughout October.
“There are some decorative, granite safety blocks also set to be installed from the Martyrs Monument along the Ring Way in November.
“We hope to complete the installation of all the bollards and blocks by the end of November.
“We thank everyone for their patience while we work to make Preston city centre a more attractive and safer destination.”
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