Penwortham Bypass named by our students

Penwortham Bypass has now been officially named as ‘John Horrocks Way’, after a leading figure from the town’s history.

Schools in Penwortham were invited during the summer term to ask their students to submit name suggestions for the new Penwortham Bypass.

A naming challenge was also run at Penwortham Girls’ High School during the Futures Days in July, as part of the Apprentice Factory Project.

The new name was suggested by Grace and Laura from Penwortham Girls’ High School. The students proposed naming the bypass after John Horrocks to remember his work and to educate people who are unaware of the role he played in development locally.

Born in 1768, John Horrocks was a key player in Lancashire’s textile revolution, owning several mills and employing thousands of people. John lived in Penwortham and represented Preston as MP. After his death in 1804, his company continued to operate, creating the Centenary Mill on New Hall Lane in Preston, which still stands today.

It was officially announced on Wednesday 11 September at South Ribble Borough Council’s cabinet meeting.

County Councillor Keith Iddon, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “Lancashire is well-known around the world for its cotton mills, so it’s fitting that John Horrocks, who lived in Penwortham, will be remembered with our new road”.

Well done, girls!

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