Blackburn's £2m Roundabout Project Moves Forward with Contractor Appointment
In a significant development for Blackburn's infrastructure, senior councillors are poised to approve the appointment of a main contractor for a new four-arm roundabout on Whalley Old Road. The project, which has seen its budget increase from £1.75 million to £2 million, is now scheduled to take seven months to complete, down from an initial estimate of eight months.
Contractor Approval and Project Timeline
Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive board is recommended to approve Farnworth-based civil engineering firm George Cox & Sons Ltd to manage the highway works. A report from Cllr Quesir Mahmood, the authority's growth boss, outlines that the contractor will begin mobilisation in May 2026, with construction planned to start over the summer. The aim is for all works to be finished by December 2026.
The appointment follows a competitive tender process, and the project budget of £2 million covers construction, fees, surveys, and contingency, including £201,000 in costs already incurred. Funding includes £1.5 million from the council's capital programme, £119,200 from Bovis Homes under a Section 106 Agreement, and additional contributions from S106 and reallocated capital funds.
Impact on Traffic and Housing Developments
The roundabout will serve the controversial Sunnybower Meadow housing estate, which is currently under construction with 165 new homes by Vistry Partnerships/Bovis Homes. It will also pave the way for a proposed 1,250-home development in north-east Blackburn, spanning 241 acres off Brownhill Drive over 20 years.
While the installation will require a lengthy road closure, causing major traffic disruption, the roundabout is designed to improve traffic flow. Roundabouts allow traffic to flow more continuously, reducing queues and delays compared with priority junctions, according to Cllr Mahmood's report. Vehicles will approach at lower speeds, which reduces the likelihood of collisions, and splitter islands on each arm will facilitate pedestrian crossings.
Planning and Environmental Considerations
The scheme, which involves realigning Whalley Old Road, was granted planning permission in February. It is seen as more in keeping with the semi-rural nature of the area, marking a transition between rural and urban environments and providing a gateway entrance to both housing sites.
The funding from Bovis Homes is equivalent to the cost of entrance works omitted from their scheme to prevent abortive work, as the roundabout will now provide a combined entrance for the two sites. This strategic move aims to streamline development and enhance safety in the busy gateway road.
