Major transport scheme pre-works to start

Pre-works to prepare the South East Blackburn major transport scheme are starting from Monday, February 17^th.

Works will consist of ecology surveys, hedge removal and tree felling on Haslingden Road, Blackamoor Road and Roman Road. Planning conditions specify that these pre-start works are undertaken before the scheme construction works can start.

Traffic management will be in place via two-way lights and stop/go boards on an off-peak basis.

Main construction work on the road will start in March and are due to run to Spring 2021.

The planned 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 Blackamoor Link Road created including two new junctions at Roman Road/Newfield Drive and Blackamoor Road.

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 £11.5m Growth Deal 3 South East Blackburn project. The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Board has approved funding for the scheme and the Council are in the process of formalising contracts with the main contractor, 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 65,000 square metres of land to be used for business growth and job opportunities in the area.

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

There will be disruption while the works are being carried out, which may result in some temporary delays and diversions. However, the Council will work closely with residents, contractors, businesses, the hospital and the emergency services to minimise this as much as possible and to co-ordinate construction works.

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

These are the crucial pre-work preparations that need to be done before the main works to widen and improve the roads can start. There will be traffic management in place which may cause some delays off-peak but we are working to minimise any disruption.

These works are really important for the future growth of the area and the borough, in terms of business investment, housing developments, jobs and a more positive experience for road users.”

For more information about the scheme go to:

https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/transport-and-travel/transport-and-streets-policies-and-strategies/transport-infrastructure-growth