William Young's family mark opening of new road

One of the three new roads to open in Preston this month, William Young Way, has been officially marked in remembrance of William Young, honoured with a Victoria Cross for his bravery in the First World War, by members of his family.

William Young Way and Avice Pimblett Way are two new roads that link Edith Rigby Way, the longest road in the Preston Western Distributor project, to the new and existing housing areas of North West Preston and Cottam, and will support future developments in the future.

William Young's grandson William Young and his great granddaughter Glynis Buckingham and great grandson Terry Young, along with other family members, Clive Buckingham and Luke Buckingham, travelled to Preston from their home in Strood, Kent, to help mark the occasion and cut the ceremonial ribbon with the Deputy Mayor of Preston, Councillor Phil Crowe and other Preston guests.

William Young (aged 89) said:

"It has been the family's honour to mark the opening of the new road in respect of my grandfather's bravery and thank you to Preston for remembering him in this way. Although we are very proud of William Young, let us not forget that all the men who have served to protect our country are all heroes.

"I remember being evacuated to Preston in the Second World War and when I arrived, I stood at Preston train station as a child watching all the thousands of young men in uniform marching past me to go and serve on the front line. It is something I will never forget and that changed me forever."

The second road has been named after Avice Pimblett OBE, who was the first woman town councillor, first woman Alderman and first woman Mayor of Preston.

Councillor Freddie Bailey Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety said:

"This is an exceptional situation as these are major new link roads and we determined that the council would recommend the names. As the city has two VC holders and James Towers was commemorated at Broughton, we had been seeking a suitable opportunity to name a road for William Young.

In the vast majority of cases for new residential 'estate' roads we work with the developer and if possible, try to agree something that links to the locality/history of the site.

"We chose Avice Pimblett OBE, as not many females have been honoured with road names in the local area so it is important that we continue to readdress the gender balance. Both persons are very worthy candidates and we are proud to honour their contribution to society and to the city of Preston."

As well as promoting walking and cycling, the new roads will improve access to the motorway and will also support delivery of a proposed railway station at Cottam.

Work on the scheme began towards the end of 2019 and took place through the Coronavirus pandemic. The new roads connect key parts of the city, aim to reduce congestion on the existing road network, help people to get around, and unlock new economic opportunities for Preston and Lancashire as a whole.

The new roads have been constructed by Costain, on behalf of Lancashire County Council, as part of the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal.

Funding for the new road comes from the Department for Transport and the Lancashire Growth Deal, managed by the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, with further funding coming from Lancashire County Council, National Highways and City Deal.

City Deal aims to create more than 20,000 new private sector jobs and more than 17,000 new homes built across the area, along with new school places and open green spaces to cater for the growing population.

It is an agreement between the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership and Preston City Council, South Ribble Borough Council and Lancashire County Council, along with central government and Homes England.

William Young Way - (East West Link Road) - William Young VC - 1876-1916

A Preston resident, Scottish born (Glasgow) recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for gallantry in the face of the enemy.  He with his family lived at 7, Heysham Street, Preston. Private in the 8^th (S) Battalion, The East Lancashire Regiment during the First World War.

On 22 December 1915, east of Foncquevillers, France, Private Young saw from his trench that one of his company's sergeants was lying wounded in front of the wire. Acting without orders and heedless of his exposure to enemy fire, he climbed over the parapet and went to the rescue of his sergeant. He was hit by two bullets, one shattered his jaw and the other entered his chest. Undeterred, he went on and, with another soldier who came to assist, brought the wounded sergeant back to safety.

Later Private Young walked back to the village dressing station to have his injuries attended to. He received a civic welcome and reception on his return to Preston in April 1916.

He spent the next four months in the hospital, but died aged 40, in August 1916 when undergoing surgery at the Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot.

Following a civic funeral, attended by thousands lining the route, he was buried at New Hall Lane Cemetery, Preston,

Avice Pimblett Way - (Cottam Link Road) - Avice Pimblett OBE - 1879-1963

A true pioneer of women in civic life in Preston. The first woman Preston borough councillor, the first woman alderman and first woman mayor of Preston (1934/35).

Campaigner on the needs for women and children, the former resident of Ribblesdale Place, Winckley Square Quarter (blue plaque unveiled by Mayor Darby Nov 2022) was also a Justice of the Peace, 3 day fete in her mayoral year raised £6,030 - 20% of the cost of new maternity wing at Royal Preston - Avice laid the foundation stone

It will address the gender imbalance of honoured Prestonians.

Community Wealth Building

Preston City Council actively applies and prioritises the principles of Community Wealth Building wherever applicable and appropriate. Community Wealth Building is an approach which aims to ensure the economic system builds wealth and prosperity for everyone.