Three more Blackburn roads to be resurfaced says council

Borough growth boss Councillor Quesir Mahmood has announced Blackburn's Jack Walker Way, Shadsworth Road and West Park Road will be resurfaced by March 31.

The additions are revealed in a report on the Amended Highways Capital Programme 2024/25 to be discussed at Thursday's meeting of the authority's executive board.

Cllr Mahmood's report says: "Additional schemes have been included for delivery in 2024/25, by reducing overall project costs and by combining projects by asset type and project delivery methods.

"The programme aims to provide a good, safe and resilient road network that supports communities and businesses across the borough to access employment, leisure, retail and education.

Shadsworth Road will be resurfaced "The total Department of Transport funding including 2023/24 carry forward is £10,824,220.

"There is a budget of £228,000 resource funding within the Bus Service Improvement Plan programme that will be drawn down and capitalised when required.

"There are unallocated capital funds in the 2024/25 programme, which are reserved for future projects in the longer-term programme (2025/26 and beyond).

"Additional works have been identified to improve the traffic signal network whilst undertaking the traffic signal obsolescence grant project.

"The additional works require an additional £43,230 from the future funding reserves in the Integrated Transport Block.

West Park Road will also see improvements "Through controlling project costs, combining projects and cost efficiencies found in the resurfacing programme, an additional three sites are included in the amended capital programme for resurfacing in 2024/25.

"The three resurfacing sites are Jack Walker Way, Shadsworth Road and West Park Road, Blackburn.

"The overarching principle when investing funds into highway assets is to improve the overall condition and community value whilst implementing the most cost-effective maintenance treatments based on the whole life of the assets.

"The programme also promotes growth and development with S106 (developers' contribution) monies being used to support highways improvement schemes to attract business development opportunities.

"Maintaining a good road network also supports quality of life, health, safety and security by offering improvements to the built and natural environments encouraging the use of open spaces and active travel with up to 15 per cent of the funding allocated to supporting our active travel aspirations.

"Reduction in carbon usage and environmental impact is to be achieved through design and the use of innovative solutions where possible with materials, equipment and resources selected to reduce the impact of the proposed schemes as much as is practicable."