Lancashire nostalgia in 2006: Christmas road chaos; Adelphi roundabout transformation; and controversial doors

Here's a look at some of the stories that were making the headlines back in 2006:
The volume of Christmas shoppers has caused chaos on the roads of PrestonThe volume of Christmas shoppers has caused chaos on the roads of Preston
The volume of Christmas shoppers has caused chaos on the roads of Preston

Christmas causing road chaos in city

Preston’s city centre roads are at breaking point as the final rush to hit the shops before Christmas gets into full swing.

Police have been forced to close streets near to the Fishergate and Mall St George’s shopping centres due to traffic chaos.

The Adelphi roundabout after its transformationThe Adelphi roundabout after its transformation
The Adelphi roundabout after its transformation
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The past few weekends and late night shopping days have proved popular with shoppers but unpopular with those trying to make their way into the city by car.

Earlier this week, the Evening Post reported how Christmas trading was up, compared to this time last year.

PC Dave Taylor from Preston Police, said: “We’re having to close off roads near to the two major shopping centres on occasions because the traffic is so bad.

“We would advise people to use park and ride services, or the bus station, Market and Avenham car parks and take advantage of the late night shopping opportunities if possible.

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“The electronic signs around the city give up-to-date information about how many spaces are available at each car park and we’d advise people to check them before choosing where to park.”

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Look back at a selection of pictures from 2006 here

Flower power for city roundabout

Artistic youngsters have won a contest to brighten up one of Preston’s busiest roundabouts.

Chloe Oliver, eight, from Queen’s Drive Primary School in Fulwood, and Elizabeth Green, 10, from St Mary’s and St Andrew’s Catholic Primary School in Barton, beat 19 other entrants to win Preston Council’s Flower Power competition.

The two girls will see their designs turned into feature flower beds on the Adelphi roundabout.

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Chloe’s design features the words “Preston our fab city” above colourful stick people while Elizabeth’s work of art relates to the University of Central Lancashire and features images of a pair of glasses, a book and a pencil.

The winners will be given the opportunity to help plant the flowerbeds at the roundabout in May.

In case you missed last week's retro, we looked at the year 2005

Construction starts on county hall doors

Work has started on controversial £300,000 doors at county hall.

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Builders have moved on site at the Treasurer’s Block in Bow Lane to construct a striking steel and glass entrance way in Preston’s Fishergate Hill conservation area.

The decision to fund the work, which also includes a new entrance at Pitt Street, caused a storm of protest when it was approved by Lancashire County Council in February, sparking claims they were a waste of money.

It came at a time to cuts to meals on wheels and the threatened closure of Maplewood House.

The doors are being built against a background of money saving redundancies and cost-cutting measures as the authority seeks to keep next year’s council tax rise to no more than 5%.

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But county hall bosses said the work is needed to update and refurbish the entrances.

County Coun Hazel Harding, leader of the council, said: “As the largest single provider of services to the public of Lancashire, we believe current entrances are outdated and not welcoming.”

She stressed the cash came from capital funding, rather than money used for frontline services.