New features will be installed along Preston’s main shopping area, to increase public safety. Granite blocks, which people can also sit on, will be installed by Lancashire County Council at key positions along Fishergate and Church Street, from the Minster to the junction with Corporation Street.
The work will start from Monday 30 September to install the new measures.

The plans by the county council have been agreed following discussions with Lancashire Police, to reduce the risk of a serious incident. This will reduce the space for vehicles to mount the pavement, similar to measures used elsewhere in the UK and other countries to deter terrorist incidents.
However this is not in response to any specific threat.
The measures will complement and enhance the ongoing security programme in the city.

These new features will replace the large wooden planters, which were put in as a temporary measure while permanent options were agreed. Reflective sections on the blocks will help their visibility. The temporary planters were installed before Christmas 2017, while permanent plans were put in place. The planters will be offered to local communities around the county, to brighten up local areas.

The blocks have been designed by a specialist company to reduce vehicle access onto the pavement along Fishergate and Church Street, while matching in with the overall street design and integrating with existing security features. Measures will also be added outside the Guild Hall, as part of other improvement work.

Similar safety measures have been put in place in the UK and elsewhere in the world, to deter terrorist incidents. Organisations representing people with visual impairments have been made aware of these proposals. Lancashire Police and Preston City Council have been consulted as part of developing the plans. County Councillor Keith Iddon, Cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Thousands of people come into Preston every day and we have a responsibility to make sure that they can have a safe and enjoyable experience.

“We’ve taken the time to come up with the design of these safety measures, which places these measures at specific points along the pavement to reduce the chance of an incident involving a vehicle taking place.
“We’re bringing in these safety measures based on discussions with the police, but it’s important for people to know that this not due to any specific threat. We’re replacing our planters, which were always temporary.
“It’s important that any measures are proportionate, and that we can still carry on with our normal daily lives.”

Chief Inspector Steve Sansbury from Lancashire Police, who is responsible for local policing in Preston, said “Whilst these enhanced safety measures are not in response to any specific threat towards our communities in Preston, it is only right and proper that local agencies continually work together to review the measures that are in place, and where appropriate take sensible steps to ensure that the public utilising the city centre, for both business and pleasure, are as safe as possible”

Councillor Robert Boswell, Cabinet member for environment at Preston City Council, said: “The public realm improvements to Fishergate and Church Street over recent years have vastly enhanced the environment for visitors to Preston.

“They will further improve pedestrian safety for those enjoying the shopping offer and night time economy, or for those just passing through the area. “I am pleased that the materials to be used will be sympathetic to those used previously and that a balanced and proportionate approach is being taken to where the new features will be installed.”

Victoria Park has again been recognised by the Green Flag Award scheme as one of the very best green spaces in the world. The park is among a record-breaking 1,970 parks and green spaces in the UK and 131 across the globe that have recently received a prestigious Green Flag Award – the mark of a quality park or green space. It’s the fifth award Victoria Park has received in consecutive years, since it was first awarded in 2015.

This international award, first launched in 1997, is a sign to the public that the space boasts the highest possible environmental standards, is beautifully maintained and has excellent visitor facilities.

The historic park and Grade II listed Mansion House have benefitted from over £3 million secured through the Heritage Lottery Fund, with many of its original features – dating back to the 1850s – repaired and restored in recent years. The park is continually being developed, and this year has seen the provision of further wild flower meadows in the park to attract more wild life and insects.

Recent improvements include the reinstatement of the boundary wall and fencing on Balker Drive, and the final restoration of the perimeter fence on Rutland Street. Councillor Lynn Clarke, St Helens Council’s Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said:

“The number of times Victoria Park has been awarded is testament to the dedication of our Rangers and grounds maintenance teams, community groups like the Friends of Victoria Park, and of course our residents, who are mindful to take care of this wonderful community asset.”

International Green Flag Award scheme manager Paul Todd said:
“It’s fantastic that we have more Green Flag Awards in the UK than ever before, joined this year by 131 International winners.” “Each flag honours the thousands of staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to maintain the high standards demanded by the Green Flag Award. We congratulate each and every winner on their fantastic achievement.”

When it comes to keeping the borough tidy, Blackburn with Darwen’s volunteers have bags of enthusiasm! And there’s now a small army of them pounding the streets with the figure recently topping the 1,000 mark!
Many are part of the Keep Blackburn Tidy and Keep Darwen Tidy groups – offering daily support through their network and busy Facebook pages. Others simply applied through the Lancashire Volunteer Partnership and take pride in making a real difference to their borough. They’re all part of the Red Bag Revolution – named after the distinctive bags they fill with litter.

Councillor Jim Smith, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s Executive Member for Environmental Services, said: What an incredible achievement to top 1,000 volunteers for the Keep It Tidy initiative in our borough. These volunteers are out come rain or shine helping to make Blackburn with Darwen a better place to live and what a difference they’re truly making!
You only have to drive down the street and you often see a red bag left next to a council bin – chances are that the red bag will have been filled by a volunteer giving up their own time.

We’re proud of each and every one of them and can’t thank them enough for their efforts. As part of a drive to encourage volunteering, the council offers a free kit to help residents get started. It includes a littler picker, red and clear bags, gloves, a first aid kit and even a bag of tea bags as a small thank-you.

Councillor Smith added:
These volunteers are a shining example of the council’s Your Call initiative working at it’s very best. The scheme is designed to help encourage and support residents to volunteer in many different ways right across the area with lots of opportunities available. The volunteers tell us that they feel a real sense of pride in what they’re doing and there’s significant health and wellbeing benefits too.

They’re supported by our own dedicated Environment Team who themselves are passionate about making a difference to the borough. Amongst their many activities, The Keep Darwen and Keep Blackburn Tidy groups organise regular litter picks and play an active part in reporting waste issues from around the borough.

They also help to recycle – separating much of the litter they collect while also educating and encouraging their fellow residents to do the same.
You can find them by searching on Facebook. Want to get involved, https://lancsvp.org.uk/opportunities/kit/