Transport and streets policies and strategies

Policies and strategies around transport and streets.

Transport infrastructure growth deal

The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership has secured £320 million from the Government's Local Growth Fund to support economic growth in the area through the Growth Deal. The Lancashire Growth Deal as agreed with Government aims to realise the growth potential of the whole of Lancashire, building on key local economic assets and high-value business clusters.

The deal will help to:

  • Create up to 11,000 jobs and 3,900 new homes
  • Attract £1.2 billion of new private sector investment to Lancashire

The Pennine Gateways project in Blackburn with Darwen, funded through the Growth Deal will deliver key transport infrastructure improvements at three of the main gateways into Blackburn with Darwen off the M65 motorway at junctions 4, 5 and 6. Investment at these adjoining gateways will extend the concept of the Hyndburn – Burnley – Pendle Growth Corridor to the M65 Growth Corridor and will release the potential of a number of adjacent strategic sites to attract and accelerate new development opportunities. Major transport improvements will act as a catalyst for new housing and commercial development, contributing to the delivery of the Council's adopted Local Plan targets for new homes, businesses and jobs.

Package 3: South East Blackburn

The third and final package of the Growth Deal 3 project involves the widening of Haslingden Road and the creation of a new link road at Blackamoor. The package is the largest element of the Growth Deal and the Council proposes to:

  • Widen Haslingden Road between Guide and Royal Blackburn Hospital to three and four lanes
  • Upgrade Roundabouts at major access points along Haslingden Road including Shadsworth Road and Royal Blackburn Hospital
  • Deliver the Blackamoor Link Road: including two new junctions at Roman Road and Blackamoor Road plus a stretch of new Highway

The project will:

  • Improve congestion on the Haslingden Road corridor to / from Royal Blackburn Hospital and M65 Junction 5
  • Improve air quality at Blackamoor Junction (which is a designated Air Quality Management Area)
  • Enable further development of employment opportunities
  • Support future housing growth in the Borough

Major transport improvements will act as the catalyst for new housing and commercial development, contributing to the delivery of the Council's adopted Local Plan targets for new housing, businesses and jobs.

July 2020 update

  • Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has now formalised the main contract with the Rochdale based Casey Group to deliver the South East Blackburn major transport scheme
  • Proposed works were stood down in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions which effected the construction and civil engineering industries
  • Since February some pre-construction works have taken place, consisting of:
    • Site clearance and set up
    • Tree felling and vegetation removal
    • Excavations via trial hole in relation to drainage, statutory utilities and depths of topsoil
    • Diversions of statutory utilities
  • Casey have recently returned to the site in a restricted capacity to continue groundworks and to support the ongoing diversion of statutory utilities
  • A full return to site will take place from Monday 13th July 2020, with widening and new link road works commencing simultaneously
  • Construction of the Link Road which will connect Blackamoor Road with Roman Road and Newfield Drive phased as follows:
    1. Advanced statutory utilities diversions
    2. Forming the New Link Road entrance / exit off Blackamoor Road (2 way traffic lights)
    3. Construction of the New Link Road (signage and barriers for entrance including pedestrian diversion and management)
    4. New signal controlled junction construction at Roman Road / Newfield Drive (3 way traffic lights)
    5. Roman Road widening, realignment and resurfacing including Roman Road / Stopes Brow junction upgrade (2 way traffic lights between Newfield Drive and Stopes Brow)
    6. Complete tie-in and resurfacing of Blackamoor Road / new Link Road (3 way traffic lights)
  • Widening of Haslingden Road between Lions Drive and Shadsworth Road plus New Royal Blackburn Hospital roundabout
    1. Advanced statutory utilities diversions and Royal Blackburn Hospital building works / wall removal (3 way traffic lights when required)
    2. Old Bank Lane / Haslingden Road New Royal Blackburn Hospital roundabout (2 and 3 way traffic lights and access to Old Bank Lane temporarily restricted)
    3. Beehive roundabout to Shadsworth Road widening (single lane running)
    4. South side (inbound) carriageway widening from DW fitness to Shadsworth Road (single lane running)
    5. DW Fitness / Starbucks roundabout modifications (single lane on approaches)
    6. Shadsworth Road roundabout modifications (single lane on approaches)
    7. Final surfacing and lining works (2 way traffic lights between roundabouts)
    8. Promotion of alternative traffic routes along with blue light priority, bespoke signage and traffic muster lay-bys
  • Traffic will be managed on site by the main contractor to limit disruption to motorists and pedestrians
  • These essential capacity works on the Borough’s main growth corridor are programmed to complete by Summer 2021

February 2020 update

  • The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Board has approved funding for the scheme
  • Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council are in the process of formalising contracts with the main contractor who will deliver the scheme, Rochdale based Casey Group Limited
  • Pre-start works in relation to the Growth Deal 3 South East Blackburn project will start from week commencing 17th February 2020
  • Works will consist of site clearance and set up, tree felling and hedge removal on Roman Road, Blackamoor Road and Haslingden Road
  • Planning conditions specify that these pre-start works are undertaken before the scheme construction works progress
  • Traffic management will be in place via off peak 2 way lights on affected sections
  • Main construction works are set to start in March 2020

November 2019

The Council has given notice that it has made, and submitted to the Secretary of State for Transport for confirmation, two Orders under section 14 of the Highways Act 1980, for authorising the Council to:

  • carry out highways improvements at Haslingden Road and Blackamoor Road/Roman Road
  • stop up parts of Haslingden Road
  • construct new highway at Haslingden Road and Blackamoor Road / Roman Road
  • provide new means of access at Haslingden Road

Copies of the order and relevant plans may be inspected free of charge at all reasonable hours from the date of this notice at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council reception desk Town Hall, King William Street, Blackburn, or downloaded by the links available on this webpage.

October 2019

September 2019

  • Following on from the Growth Deal 3 information events which took place at the start of 2019 at Evolution Park and St James’ Church Lower Darwen, the Council has submitted planning applications in relation to Haslingden Road widening and the creation of the new Blackamoor Road Link Road
  • Site notices will be posted and further statutory correspondence will be sent to properties directly adjacent to the proposed works
  • More details and view the applications. Access to the internet is also available at Council libraries, Darwen Town Hall and Blackburn Town Hall.
  • A statutory period of consultation will follow, and your views are invited on the applications by the Council as part of the process.
  • The Council’s Planning Committee will consider the applications in December 2019.

Haslingden Road widening

Blackamoor Road link road

Documents