One step closer on the road to big improvements in Blackburn

Plans to widen one of Blackburn’s busiest roads to ease traffic and boost jobs and business are progressing before works starts in April 2020.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Executive Board is set to give the full approval application for the “Local Growth Fund 3 – Blackburn South East” project to be submitted to the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Board (LEP).

The £11.5m. Local Growth Fund 3 package will then be considered by the LEP with works due to start this April and run to April 2021. The Casey Group has been named as the contractor for the works.

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.

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.

The Council has also taken on comments and suggestions from the public in a previous consultation. These include:

• Extending solid islands for easier pedestrian crossing across Haslingden Road
• Creating additional parking at the front of Roman Road “cottage” properties south of Newfield Drive with a new lay-by area
• Making sure access to/from future Blackamoor development sites will be from the new Blackamoor Link Road only

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

This is one of the final steps to take before this important work starts. Obviously, there is going to be some disruption as this is a big piece of work and I understand that this may be frustrating but it is essential that it is carried out.

These works are essential for future growth of the borough, in jobs, business investment, housing developments and a better experience for road users. It is impossible to make changes on this scale without causing some disturbances but we will be working hard to minimise these as much as possible, including working off peak as much as we can.

This project will transform these areas and will make traffic flow much better.”