New highway permit scheme goes live in Blackburn and Darwen.

Roadworks and traffic congestion across the borough are set to be improved with the introduction of a new programme.

The Highway Permit Scheme, a partnership between Blackburn with Darwen Council and Capita, will help the coordination of road works and reduce traffic congestion.

This new way of working means that any organisation or individual wanting to carry out works that affect the highway, such as utility, road repair or building works, will need to apply for an official permit and complete their works within the timeframes and conditions of the permit that is issued.

This not only lets the Council strictly coordinate and manage the amount and type of work taking place on the highway at one time, but it will  also help to reduce the length of time roadworks go on for which will help to keep traffic flowing in the area.

Councillor Phil Riley, Blackburn with Darwen’s Executive Member for Regeneration, said:

We are seeing a lot of investment in the borough and it is vital that roadworks and traffic schemes are carried out in good time and to a consistently high quality, with disruption kept as low as possible

By working in partnership with Capita and with contractors, this permit scheme will give us more control over when roadworks take place, which should help to keep traffic moving as much as possible and reduce the impact on residents and visitors.”