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Preston's City Centre Evacuation Plan 

Drawn up in conjunction with local police, fire and health authorities, and key city centre stakeholders, the in-depth document outlines the actions that would need to be taken if the city centre was faced with a major emergency.

The plan has been developed over a number of years and its completion brings Preston in line with other UK cities including neighbours Manchester and Liverpool.

Alan Murray, the council's emergency planning officer, says;

 Having a city centre evacuation plan is about being prepared for any eventuality, we have improved the resilience of the city centre in response to a multitude of possible disruptions.  The plan enables authorities, businesses and other partners to take immediate action and be able to coordinate efforts should the unexpected ever happen.  

Councils now have a duty to warn and inform members of the public about potential risks within their area, and this plan is one of the tools that we have in place should a major incident take place. 

Led by the police, the plan incorporates the Preston Emergency Notification System (PENS). This uses the latest technology and gives us the ability to communicate information to large numbers of businesses at the same time saving valuable minutes at the time of a crisis. 

The iTex system allows the police to send out an alert or standby message to all those signed up to the scheme, via text or email, within 10 seconds of activating the system.

The message could include information relating to the emergency and can give specific advice on which part of the plan can be put into action.

Key partners, including the shopping centres, transport organisation's and commercial leader's, are already signed up to the free scheme and we are encouraging as many city centre businesses as possible to join and sign up.  This scheme is similar to some others around the country but is the first to be provided free of charge.

Inspector Richard Cox, of the Operations Planning Department at Preston Police Station, said: "Because of events that have happened in this country over the past few years, such as the bombings in London, it is important that the City council, the emergency services and other partner agencies have a plan in place, so that everyone has clearly defined roles and know what to do if an evacuation of the city centre is required". 

The following organisations and businesses have already signed up to the scheme:

  • North west ambulance Service
  • Lancashire fire and rescue service
  • Lancashire Police
  • Parkwise
  • Fishwick Bus
  • Preston Bus
  • Preston City Council
  • Lancashire County Council
  • Rail operators
  • British Transport Police
  • Shopping centres - The Mall St Georges, Fishergate
  • Stagecoach
  • Virgin / Network Rail

Facts about the scheme -

  • There are around 800 businesses within Preston City Centre, including the retail, leisure and service sectors. 
  • The scheme is run using the council's existing resources and text messaging technology, with no cost to the taxpayer. 
  • It is the first scheme in the country to run without charging businesses an annual subscription fee - saving them approximately £600,000 over four years compared with similar schemes. 
  • Other benefits to businesses include the possibility of lower insurance premiums and closer working with the police and other agencies. 
  • Once established, there is potential for the scheme to be broadened to assist in reduction of city centre crime.
  • The scheme is also used by other Council departments on a regular basis.

City Centre Evacuation Plan - business registration form


Date Updated: 02/12/08