Major improvement work back on in South East Blackburn

Work is starting up again to improve traffic around Haslingden Road and Roman Road.

Construction around the road widening scheme was put on hold in March at the start of theCovid-19 pandemic, as restrictions were put in place, but work has now restarted. Workers will be keeping to the social distancing rules while they are in place.

The work will see Haslingden Road widened between Shadsworth Road and Lions Drive (Beehive Roundabout) as well as the creation of a new entrance to Royal Blackburn Hospital at Old Bank Lane.

There will also be upgraded roundabouts at major access points along Haslingden Road including Shadsworth Road and DW Sports.

As part of the scheme, there will also be a new Link Road created including two new junctions at Roman Road/Newfield Drive and Blackamoor Road, which will open up the area for new development.

Haslingden Road is one of the busiest in Blackburn and the plans to widen the road will ease traffic and boost jobs and business.

The works are part of the £11.56m Growth Deal 3 South East Blackburn project and are now due to be completed by summer 2021. The main contractor working on the project is the Rochdale based Casey Group Limited.

These are much-needed improvements to the area and designed to improve congestion on the Haslingden Road corridor around Royal Blackburn Hospital and Junction 5 of the M65.

When completed, the works will support the development of nearly 650 new homes and over 91,000 square metres of commercial floorspace to be used for business growth and job opportunities in the area.

The Blackamoor Road / Stopes Brow changes are also designed to improve air quality and pedestrian facilities, at a designated Air Quality Management Area.

Traffic will be managed on site by the Casey Group to limit disruption to drivers and pedestrians.

The information portal for the project can be found via https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/index.php/transport-and-travel/transport-and-streets-policies-and-strategies/transport-infrastructure-growth

Councillor Phil Riley, Executive Member for Growth and Development, said:

It is very good news that work is restarting on this massive project. Obviously, the health and safety of people take precedence over everything else and this is why construction was stopped in March, but it is now possible to continue this work safely.

This project is incredibly important for the future growth of the area and the borough, not just in business investment, housing developments and jobs but to give a much better experience for people using these major roads.”

Steve Fogg, Chair of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership said:

What initially started as a public health crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic has unfortunately now become an economic crisis.  I am pleased that work is due to recommence on the South East Blackburn project which has received £11.56m from the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Deal Programme.

The sooner we are able to resume building our infrastructure projects, the sooner we are able to create jobs and provide the impetus to stimulate growth in the Lancashire economy.  The LEP is in regular dialogue with Government and local partners to ensure we have the right interventions and support in place to mitigate the longer-term economic impact which will enable our businesses to recover, return to growth and create employment opportunities.”

Graham Lang, Head of Construction at the Casey Group, said:

Our key objective for the South East Blackburn scheme is to deliver the project in the safest possible manner whilst maintaining the functionality of the adjacent residential and business properties in these highly populated areas, in the vicinity of both Blackamoor Road and Haslingden Road.

Our aim is to pose minimal disruption and the way in which we will achieve this is with a detailed & structured phased approach. The scheme additionally will provide significant employment & Supply Chain opportunities, in the Blackburn with Darwen area.”