UP to 50,000 visitors could be heading for the proposed Royal Lancashire Show at Myerscough over July 18, 19 and 20 next year - if Wyre Council approves the plans.
Landowner the Duchy of Lancaster says the site IS suitable for both access and parking for the 50,000 visitors, competitors, traders and exhibitors.
Traffic fears have been the main worries of hundreds of residents in the villages along the A6 betwe
en Preston and Garstang since the plans for both the 'temporary' show - and the later creation of a Duke of Lancaster Park on the site - were first mooted.
In its planning application, details of which have been published on Wyre Council's website, the Duchy says there will be parking for 9,500 cars, as well as parking for disabled drivers, coaches/minibuses and cyclists.
The traffic report included within the application estimates 40,000 visitors arriving by car during the three day show with up to 40% (16,000 visitors) expected on the Saturday and Sunday.
"Assuming an average occupancy level of three persons, this equates to 5,333 vehicles on both Saturday and Sunday," says the report.
Details of the controversial traffic routing plans, which will take some show bound traffic along the M55 to Greenhalgh, Windy Harbour traffic lights, Larbreck, Great Eccleston and St Michaels, are also explained.
The support document says the re-routing will be brought into effect "should the A6 become overloaded between Junction 1 of the M55 and the site."
Previously placed directional signs would be uncovered and portable electronic signs could also be used.
The traffic report says: "Whilst the alternative route via junction three of the M55 is approximately 12 miles longer than the A6 route this is not excessive (17 miles total) if it reduces the overall journey time for visitors."
Lancashire police has agreed to dedicate 20 officers to police the show and surrounding road network. The police will also have two recovery vehicles in the area to deal with breakdowns.
Shopkeepers at Broughton will be asked to avoid loading and unloading during busy periods.
In the event of the need for emergency evacuation on the site a large area near White Horse Lane, Barton, will be set aside for police, fire and ambulance services.
The application points out the plans relate solely to the current road network and does not include the impact of the Broughton By-Pass which is expected to open in 2011.
Other sections of the planning application reveal the Royal Lancs wants to hold up to seven other events there from 2009 - though it stresses none will be on the scale of the July show.
The planning application for the "temporary" siting in 2008, 2009 and 2010, was formally lodged with Wyre Council last week. It is likely to be decided at the February 6, 2008, meeting of Wyre planning committee.
Wyre Council's leader, Coun Russell Forsyth, has already welcomed the bid to bring the Royal Lancs to rural Wyre.
Myerscough and Bilsborrow will consider the plans at its meeting at Bilsborrow village hall on Monday, November 12, at 7.30pm.
Parish clerk Mr Roy Bassnett said written representation should be sent to his address - Trout Row Cottage, Brock, PR3 0GL - by November 9.
Myerscough residents were given the opportunity to air their views at a public meeting at Barton Village Hall last month.
Many expressed concerns about the big build-up in traffic and Coun Ken Hudson, leader of Preston Council urged Myerscough/Bilsborrow and Barton parish councils to object.
Details of the plans can be seen on a dedicated Duchy website www.dukeoflancasterpark.co.uk and Wyre council's website.
Traffic tailbacks on the A6 at Brock linked to work on the new roundabout into the new Barton Grange garden centre are likely to continue for the next few weeks. The marina at the new garden centre is expected to be linked to the neighbouring Lancaster canal later this month, and garden centre/marina is due to open early next year.
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