Better bus services are on the way!
Published on Wednesday 19 August 2026 at 9:44 am
If you travel by bus in the borough, we’d like to hear what you think about some exciting new developments.
Transport & streets
New long-term vision to be developed for Blackburn Railway Station
Published on Friday 14 August 2026 at 6:17 pm
Blackburn with Darwen Council has commissioned a new long-term plan to help shape the future of Blackburn Railway Station and its surrounding area.
£2 bus fare cap welcomed as boost for jobs, growth and opportunity across Lancashire
Published on Tuesday 28 July 2026 at 12:23 pm
Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Chair of the Lancashire Combined County Authority’s Transport Committee, has welcomed the Government’s decision to reduce the bus fare cap to £2 from January 2027, saying it will help residents access jobs, education and essential services while supporting economic growth across Lancashire.
Important update – demolition of former Blackamoor Inn
Published on Thursday 2 July 2026 at 3:25 pm
Works to demolish the former Blackamoor Inn are scheduled to start next week, from Monday, July 6.
Children continue to smash targets whilst getting to school
Published on Thursday 18 June 2026 at 11:00 am
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s latest school outreach programme figures show that 78% of all trips to schools in the borough are done actively, with over 50% being walking journeys.
Filed under: active travel | Councillor Julie Gunn | Councillor Quesir Mahmood | Living Streets | School | walking | WOW
First phase of Blackburn M65 overnight closures to finish almost six weeks early
Published on Tuesday 16 June 2026 at 12:46 pm
The first phase of a series of weekly overnight closures at Junction 5 of the M65 has now finished – almost six weeks ahead of schedule.
Have your say about the borough’s highway and transport services
Published on Monday 15 June 2026 at 11:45 am
Residents are being asked to take part in six surveys designed to capture views on everything from the state of roads and footpaths to the quality of cycling and walking infrastructure.
Filed under: Councillor Quesir Mahmood | cycling | National Highways and Transport | NHT | Paths | Roads | Surveys | walking
Improvements to the Borough’s rail services bring tangible benefits for local passengers
Published on Monday 23 March 2026 at 12:36 pm
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has welcomed improvements in Northern’s rail performance, following months of direct engagement with the Council to address the disruption experienced by local passengers.
Filed under: Northern | Northern Rail
Just announced: Tour de France Grand Départs to pass through Blackburn with Darwen
Published on Thursday 15 January 2026 at 6:15 pm
Blackburn with Darwen will feature as part of the Tour de France Grand Départs – set to be the largest free sporting spectacle in British history.
Filed under: Tour de France
Winter Gritting Update: Keeping Blackburn with Darwen Moving
Published on Friday 9 January 2026 at 3:08 pm
The Council’s Highways teams have been operating at peak capacity to keep roads safe and moving during the cold weather.
Passenger safety at the heart of taxi MOT testing recommendations
Published on Monday 29 December 2025 at 2:18 pm
A report to the upcoming council Executive Board meeting recommends making no changes to current MOT testing arrangements for taxis licensed in the borough.
Filed under: Blackburn | council | Councillor Jim Smith | Darwen | Executive board | MOT | MOT testing | MVSS | Private hire | Taxi | Taxi licensing
Taxi safety taken seriously during late night stops
Published on Monday 22 December 2025 at 1:47 pm
In an operation undertaken by the council and Lancashire Constabulary, 12 taxi drivers have been reprimanded due to various concerns.
Three Darwen residents fined for dumping rubbish outside their homes
Published on Wednesday 17 December 2025 at 2:02 pm
The environmental crime team at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council have achieved three successful prosecutions recently, totalling almost £2000.
Filed under: council | Councillor Jim Smith | Crime | Darwen | environment | environmental crime
Targeted effort sees many vehicles taken away
Published on Friday 12 December 2025 at 10:54 am
In a multi-agency operation, 34 abandoned vehicles have been seized from an area of Blackburn.
On Wednesday 26 November, the Police, the DVSA and Blackburn with Darwen Council undertook a joint enforcement operation, called Road Ready Revamp, or Bin the Banger; to tackle non-roadworthy vehicles that had been left for an extended period of time on Walker Street, Walpole Street and Weir Street in Blackburn.
Filed under: Abandoned | Abandoned vehicles | Bin the Banger | council | Councillor Jim Smith | Councillor Quesir Mahmood | Operation | Police | Road Ready Revamp | vehicles
Blackburn with Darwen Council receives £1.6m to facilitate electric vehicle charging points
Published on Thursday 11 December 2025 at 4:25 pm
Over 800 electric vehicle charge sockets will begin to be installed in the borough from next year, following a successful bid for funding.
Filed under: Charging | Connected Kerb | council | Electric Vehicle | EV | funding | Government | LEVI Funding
Full steam ahead with new survey on future of trains in Blackburn with Darwen
Published on Wednesday 3 December 2025 at 11:46 am
You’re being asked to take part in a new survey that could help shape plans for the future of trains in Blackburn with Darwen.
Winter is on its way!
Published on Wednesday 19 November 2025 at 4:33 pm
As temperatures have dropped, it’s important you know what we can do to help you this winter, and how you can help yourself.
New Year start confirmed for multi-million-pound Blackburn motorway junction upgrade
Published on Thursday 6 November 2025 at 10:35 am
Work to improve Junction 5 of the M65 is set to start in January.
The upgrades are part of more than £30m of new investment for South East Blackburn to help improve the roads and active travel networks.
New and improved Arran Trail is officially open to the public
Published on Wednesday 22 October 2025 at 10:40 am
The Arran Trail is the first of six active travel routes to be transformed and reopened in South East Blackburn.
Filed under: Arran Trail | cycling | walking
Have your say on the future of transport in Lancashire
Published on Wednesday 15 October 2025 at 10:47 am
Residents in Blackburn with Darwen are being asked to have their say on an ambitious plan to deliver a local transport revolution for Lancashire.
Traffic bollards receive upgrades to further improve the borough’s highway infrastructure
Published on Thursday 21 August 2025 at 2:42 pm
554 traffic bollards are being changed from illuminated to reflective as part of wider investment into the borough.
Filed under: Blackburn | Bollards | council | Councillor Quesir Mahmood | Darwen | highway | Infrastructure | Network | Roads | Saving money | traffic | Traffic Bollards
Reminder: Blackburn with Darwen Council today issues renewed warning about bogus parking scam texts
Published on Thursday 21 August 2025 at 10:54 am
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council is issuing a fresh warning to residents after receiving increasing reports of a parking scam text message circulating locally.
Have your say about the borough’s highways and transport services
Published on Wednesday 18 June 2025 at 2:40 pm
Six new surveys have been released to find out residents’ views on various highway and transport services, from the condition of roads and footpaths; to the quality of cycling facilities.
Filed under: Blackburn | Councillor Quesir Mahmood | Darwen | National Highways and Transport | NHT | survey | Surveys
Millions of pounds to be invested in the borough’s roads
Published on Thursday 5 June 2025 at 5:17 pm
Almost £12 million will be spent by the council on improving the infrastructure of Blackburn with Darwen for all highway users.
Filed under: Blackburn | council | Councillor Quesir Mahmood | cycling | Darwen | driving | funding | Government | highway | Infrastructure | road | Roads | walking | Wheeling
Bus service improvements well underway!
Published on Wednesday 23 April 2025 at 3:23 pm
Following the reinstatement of numerous bus routes, we’re also undertaking improvements to our roads as part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan (BSIP).
Filed under: Blackburn | BSIP | bus | bus service | Bus Service Improvement Plan | Councillor Quesir Mahmood | Darwen
All aboard another reinstated bus route!
Published on Tuesday 8 April 2025 at 3:43 pm
Following its departure in 2016, Blackburn’s Outer Circle bus route is back in action from May.
Filed under: Blackburn bus | bus | bus service | Bus Service Improvement Plan | Outer Circular | Phil Riley | quesir mahmood | Vision Bus
Sign up to ‘Ride Anywhere’ now and you could WIN £1,000!
Published on Wednesday 12 March 2025 at 12:00 pm
Calling all Blackburn with Darwen cyclists! Sign up now to take part in Love to Ride’s ‘Ride Anywhere Week’ and you could be in with the chance of winning £1,000!
Borough’s children smash targets while travelling sustainably to school
Published on Wednesday 26 February 2025 at 4:50 pm
Following its launch over a year ago, a project that sees children walk or wheel to school has beaten ambitions set by the government.
Filed under: active travel | Living Streets | primary school | School | travel | Walking to school | WOW
Improvements mean the borough’s final Air Quality Management Area can be cancelled
Published on Wednesday 5 February 2025 at 11:35 am
Due to a reduction in air pollution, it’s been proposed that an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) in Blackburn South and Lower Darwen is no longer needed.
Filed under: air pollution | air quality | Air Quality Management Area | AQMA | Blackamoor | Blackburn | Consultation | council | Councillor Jim Smith | Have your say | Lower Darwen
Brand new bus routes launched in Blackburn
Published on Tuesday 10 December 2024 at 4:49 pm
Three new bus services will begin on Monday 16 December as part of a plan to encourage people to use public transport.
Filed under: Blackburn Bus Station | BSIP | bus | Bus Service Improvement Plan | buses | Councillor | Councillor Quesir Mahmood | Deputy Leader
Brushing up the Borough begins with a bang!
Published on Thursday 7 November 2024 at 3:00 pm
In a pioneering project, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council have teamed up with Together Housing to improve services and help communities feel empowered to take pride in their neighbourhood.
Filed under: Ashworth Estate | Blackburn | Brushing up the Borough | environment | Highways | Together Housing
Snow joke, we need names for our new gritters!
Published on Wednesday 2 October 2024 at 4:25 pm
With the colder temperatures just around the corner, we want to get you involved in naming our two brand new orange gritters!
Filed under: competition | Gritter | Gritter naming | Winter
Borough’s first parallel crossing revealed!
Published on Thursday 26 September 2024 at 3:57 pm
Haslingden Road in Blackburn has welcomed a new addition for walkers and cyclists to cross the road safely.
Filed under: active travel | Blackburn | Councillor | councillor mahmood | Councillor Quesir Mahmood | funding | Haslingden Road | hospital | Parallel crossing | quesir mahmood
Council launch ‘drive’ to push pothole information
Published on Tuesday 24 September 2024 at 3:28 pm
With potholes being one of the most complained about things in Blackburn with Darwen, the council is launching a new campaign, and asking residents for their help.
Council shares its £30m plans for South East Blackburn
Published on Wednesday 24 July 2024 at 10:11 am
Blackburn with Darwen borough council is investing £30m to help improve transport links in and around South East Blackburn.
Filed under: Blackburn | investment | Junction 5 | M65 | South East Blackburn
Saudi Arabian delegates visit the borough on fact finding mission
Published on Wednesday 17 July 2024 at 3:33 pm
Today, 17 July, delegates from the Saudi Arabian government’s waste management centre visited Blackburn with Darwen council’s refuse and recycling team.
Child safety sessions for 10 schools across the borough
Published on Thursday 11 July 2024 at 3:22 pm
This week, many young people from across Blackburn with Darwen are receiving important safety advice to prepare them for independent travelling.
Filed under: Blackburn | Darwen | Highways | Katie Boulton | road safety | safety | School
We want to hear your opinion on our Highways and Transport Services!
Published on Wednesday 10 July 2024 at 11:24 am
Residents in Blackburn with Darwen are being asked for their views on improving the borough’s Highways and Transport Services by taking part in a number of surveys.
‘Mini police’ programme for 180 primary school children comes to a close
Published on Wednesday 19 June 2024 at 2:59 pm
Pupils from 10 primary schools across Blackburn with Darwen have had experience in various police matters as part of a pilot launched by Lancashire Police with the help of the council.
Reallocated HS2 funding to improve our borough’s roads
Published on Wednesday 15 May 2024 at 10:04 am
£612,000 has been received from the Department for Transport to maintain the borough’s road network, which was reallocated from the HS2 project.
Filed under: Blackburn | Darwen | funding | government funding | Highways | Network North | Road network | Roads
Over half a million allocated to upgrade the borough’s roads
Published on Thursday 21 March 2024 at 10:08 am
Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council have been awarded a total of £555,185 from the Department of Transport to improve the council’s traffic signal systems as part of ‘The Traffic Signal Obsolescence Grant’, which will have a positive effect on roads across the borough.
Filed under: Blackburn | Blackburn with Darwen | Darwen | grant | Highways | Roads | traffic lights
Zero tolerance to litter louts!
Published on Wednesday 20 March 2024 at 12:39 pm
All owners of cars who are seen littering in Blackburn with Darwen will now receive a Penalty Notice (PN), following a successful pilot which saw 47 PN’s issued.
Filed under: litter | penalty | penalty notice
Leader backs Transport for the North call on Avanti
Published on Wednesday 20 March 2024 at 12:10 pm
Leader of the Council, Councillor Phil Riley, has backed Transport for the North’s call to bring back Avanti West Coast services back into public control.
Filed under: Council Leader | Leader | Leader of the Council | transport | Transport for the North
Residents celebrate new road safety measures in Blackburn village
Published on Tuesday 19 March 2024 at 10:35 am
A new digital speed sign has been installed by Blackburn with Darwen Council in the village of Guide – the latest effort to help reduce speed in the area.
Refuse Collection Vehicle Saved From Fire!
Published on Monday 18 March 2024 at 2:24 pm
The refuse team found themselves in a tricky situation during what was planned to be a regular trade waste collection round in Duttons Way, Blackburn on Friday, 8th March.
Filed under: Blackburn | commercial waste | Duttons Way | refuse | waste | waste collection
Green for go as new town centre car park opens for business
Published on Monday 23 October 2023 at 11:38 am
A £275,000 car park development at Blakewater Lodge, Whalley Range, Blackburn today (23 Oct) opened for business, providing the area and surrounding streets with enhanced safety and accessibility.
Filed under: accessibility | Blakewater | businesses | children | congestion | parking | pedestrians | relief | safety | Whalley Range
Resurfacing works to take place in Blackburn and Darwen town centre
Published on Wednesday 13 September 2023 at 2:12 pm
Motorists and local residents are being advised that a series of resurfacing works will begin in the next fortnight across three locations in Blackburn and on the A666 in Darwen town centre.
Filed under: A666 | Audley | Audley Range | Highways | roadworks | Town Centre
Blackburn with Darwen Council Leader issues statement on train ticket office closure proposals
Published on Tuesday 25 July 2023 at 12:35 pm
The Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has called for action for the Government to reconsider the proposals to close train ticket offices.
Have your say on Blackburn with Darwen’s Highways and Transport Services
Published on Monday 3 July 2023 at 11:46 am
Residents in Blackburn with Darwen are being asked for their views on improving the borough’s Highways and Transport Services.
Rise in Blackburn with Darwen bus services
Published on Tuesday 14 March 2023 at 1:38 pm
Bus services in Blackburn with Darwen are bucking the national trend with an increase of 38% in services, providing more reliable transport for residents.