High Street Preston: 73 trees, 12 car parks gone

Council endorsed the concept plan for the High Street Preston streetscape upgrade on 24 November last year. Between Bell Street and Murray Road, the proposal would bring wider footpaths, 73 new trees, four new pedestrian crossings and five accessibility car parks.

The design also removes clearways and introduces a 30km/h speed limit. Twelve car parks would go. There are no bike lanes, with council saying there is insufficient space.

Together, the changes would reshape how people move through, cross and spend time on this stretch of High Street. More room for pedestrians and additional greenery are central to the design, but the endorsed concept is not yet a funded construction project.

And the bill for it

Council has $4.1 million allocated over three years for a like-for-like road replacement. Delivering the upgraded streetscape needs approximately $3.1 million more, which depends on grant funding.

Council hopes to start in 2027/28 and deliver the works over several years. That leaves an important distinction between the road replacement already budgeted for and the broader improvements shown in the concept plan.

For traders and regular visitors, the next things to watch are the funding outcome, the construction timetable and how works would be staged along the shopping strip.