Preston, Lancashire was reserved for the new western bypass. The M6 between junctions 30 and 32 was widened extensively between 1993–95 to compensate. Junction 31A which has only a northbound exit and a southbound entry opened in 1997 to serve a nearby business park. Other motorways terminating close to the city are the M61 – Preston to Manchester via Chorley and Bolton, the M65 – Preston to Colne via Blackburn, Accrington and Burnley and the M55 – Preston to Blackpool via Kirkham. Preston railway station opened in 1838 and has since been rebuilt and extended several times. It is a major stop
Accrington railway station hourly service in each direction on Sundays, with through running to and from . These call at all stops (except Salwick), including the major stations of Preston, Blackburn and Burnley Central. From May 2015, direct services to Manchester Victoria have resumed (after a gap of almost fifty years) with the reopening of the Curve. These start at Blackburn and continue onwards through Burnley Manchester Road, using the Caldervale Line south of Todmorden to reach and Manchester. An hourly service each way operates on this route throughout the week. Most of these trains continue beyond Manchester, to and Accrington railway station