£4 million highway improvements

Improvements to roads across Blackburn with Darwen have been unveiled as part of the Local Transport Plan 2 for 2010/11.

The Local Transport Plan is aimed at developing a safe, efficient and sustainable transport system which meets the needs of all people, including pedestrians, cyclists, drivers and public transport users.

The LTP 2 programme for 2010/11 is made up of integrated transport, maintenance and road safety schemes and has been recommended for approval at the Council’s next executive board in April

The schemes include:

* Expansion of the right hand turn lane on Preston New Road/Barbara Castle Way to reduce congestion

* Improvements at Haslingden Road - widening of road at a key pinch point to the west of Guide Village which could improve journey times by around five minutes accompanied with a new pedestrian crossing

* Completion of the roll out of real time bus information at bus stops along the 152 Preston- Burnley route

* Bus priority in town centre at Cardwell Place to enable buses to get to and from the College redevelopment and the new health centre on Alma Street

A number of main roads will also be resurfaced as part of the proposed programme including:

Darwen and rural -

* A675 Belmont Road, one of the country’s worst accident blackspots

* A666 Blackburn Road, Darwen from Earnsdale Road to Hawkshaw Avenue

* Bury Road, Edgworth from Temple Farm entrance to Bury Road

* Hoddlesden Road from Blacksnape Road to Hardwoods Lane

* Roman Road, Darwen from Drummers Stoops to Lower Aushaw Farm

* Slough Road/Watery Lane from Pole Lane to Clough Street


Blackburn -

* A6708 Lower Audley Street from Walker Street to Audley Bridge

* A6119 Ramsgreave Drive

* Cardwell Place

* Fecitt Brow from Bank Lane to Shadsworth Road

* Shear Brow from Colenso Road to Four Lane Ends

Councillor Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration and environment, said: “The Local Transport Plan 2 features transport schemes which help deliver the Council’s sustainable regeneration aspirations as well as looking at the safety of pedestrians, cyclists and motorists.”