A £2 million roundabout project that will connect hundreds of new homes in Blackburn is set to begin next week, bringing months of delays and disruptions for motorists. The four-arm roundabout on Whalley Old Road will serve a major housing expansion on the town's outskirts, which aims to provide 1,650 homes on land adjoining the road.
Details of the road improvements
Blackburn with Darwen Council planners have received a Permitted Development application to start the works next week, revealing further details about the road improvements that will cause disruptions into next year. These include a new zebra crossing, dual-use pathways, and improved street lighting for pedestrians, along with changes to the speed limit on the well-used route into northeastern Blackburn.
The application from the council's Highways team details how the contractor, appointed in April, will carry out the major investment. The entire route will be resurfaced with asphalt, including pedestrian walkways that will now be shared with bicycle traffic. New LED street lighting will improve visibility, and several paths will be widened to three meters. A nearby back street leading to Stonehill Garden Centre will also be widened to improve traffic movements around the new junction.
While the council has confirmed that Whalley Old Road will not be closed for the entire project, with two-way traffic signals in place where possible, the document indicated when the disruption and inevitable diversion are expected to end. The new roundabout and road surface should be complete by the end of February 27, with the construction programme envisaged as approximately 30 weeks.
Resident concerns
Nearby resident and campaigner Ian Sykes has called for resurfacing work on the diversion route, Blackburn Old Road, before traffic is redirected for weeks or months. He stated: "Whilst it's positive news that through access will be maintained where possible, this would be an ideal time to fully resurface Blackburn Old Road in order to improve an already dangerous route."
Fifteen construction workers will carry out the project between 8am and 5pm over the seven-and-a-half-month period. When completed, the east-west section of the road will be realigned, with a southern arm to improve access to the Bovis Homes site where around 100 homes are already being built. A northern arm will also be built but lead to nowhere, as the land it connects to has been earmarked for future development in the town's housing masterplan.
The layby and bus turning area at the future roundabout site will be closed from June 15, with full works beginning on June 22.
