A bottleneck junction in Darwen was branded 'terrible' by a senior councillor as the final go-ahead was given for its £1.3million improvement.

The highway upgrade, which should free up traffic between the town centre and M65 Junction 4, paves the way for a major new housing estate of 477 homes on 45 acres of land previously occupied by Darwen Moorland High School.

On Thursday night Blackburn with Darwen Council planning and highways committee approved the scheme to improve the Holden Fold/Knowle Lane/Moor Lane junction.

The proposal had generated five objections from nearby residents worried about anti-social behaviour on proposed new car parks, loss of on-street parking and highway safety.

Committee chairman and Darwen West Labour councillor Dave Smith said: "Everybody knows this is a terrible junction.

"It has terrible sightlines and lacks footpaths.

"This is very much needed."

The improvements include: a reconfigured road layout at the existing Knowle Lane/Moor Lane junction with new residents parking areas on Knowle Lane and off Moor Lane.

The project will also improve the road layout along Chapels and Goose House Lane and incorporate improvements to drainage, street lighting and road markings, and provide a new footway along Moor Lane.

Planning manager Gavin Prescott told the meeting that the fears of residents about highway safety and anti-social behaviour on the new residents' car parks, which would provide 26 spaces on a 'first come first served basis' were groundless.

Darwen East ward's Cllr Martin McCaughran said after meeting with council officials and councillors residents fears over the road realignment had been allayed.

He said: "The residents are very happy now they know what is going on. This junction needs improvement."

Blackburn with Darwen Council growth boss Cllr Quesir Mahmood said: "This a significant improvement on what exists."

The work is scheduled to start this summer and will take six months.

Mr Prescott told the committee in report: "Currently there are several restrictions to the movement of vehicular traffic and a sharp deviation in route with poor forward visibility.

"Delivery of necessary improvements to the local highway network, as well as enhanced parking provision for the local community will be secured."