Roadworks nightmare

The creation of Blackburn's new orbital route, new traffic calming schemes and work by utility companies has left commuters with just two cone-free routes.

Only Burnley Road, Accrington Road and the A666 Whalley New Road are currently unaffected although further works are expected on Burnley Road in the next few days.

And the president of Blackburn's chamber of trade today warned that the number of jams was affecting trade.

Liberal Democrat leader Paul Browne described the situation as "madness".

But Coun Ashley Whalley, executive member for regeneration added: "We have worked with the utility companies to ensure a co-ordinated approach to all the works that have to take place in and around the town centre.

"We want our town to thrive and have sought the co-operation of everyone involved in the various essential schemes to make sure the work takes place in the summer when traffic has been lightest due to school holidays.

"Our priority has always been to ensure that the works are substantially complete before the busy Christmas period to make sure that there is a free flow of traffic to Blackburn Town Centre during this busy time.

"The alternative we faced was to have works carrying on over a two year period which I am sure could have been far more off-putting to shoppers than the short term disruption we have seen."

The affected roads are:

Preston New Road, Blackburn. resurfacing work started on July 16 and will run for 16 weeks, plus works associated with the possible new housing estate on the County Hotel site;

A666, Darwen. Exploratory work by United Utilities at various points plus disruption in Darwen town centre as a culvert is strengthened. Work is also taking place on junction four of the M65.

Roads around the Darwen Street bridge are being closed by United Utilities, with serious disruption likely. Bridge strengthening is also taking place.

King Street (Preston Old Road) Bridge. Road reduced to one lane with traffic lights in operation until October 22.

Haslingden Road, near to Queen's Park Hospital. Road alterations to accommodate a new housing estate.

Gas works on Shadsworth Road/North Road until October.

Lower Audley. Alterations of junctions as part of the new Orbital route designed to take traffic out of the town centre and resurfacing near to the new shopping development.

Road works surrounding the redevelopment of Church Street have also led to all-day congestion in Railway Road, Blackburn Boulevard and pushes traffic up on to Penny Streetwhich feeds the A666 Whalley Old Road. Work will soon begin on the Barbara Castle Way extension, which runs to Montague Street.

A spokesman for the AA said: "Drivers have every right to be frustrated. Just one or two sets of roadworks can cause problems but this is a real nightmare.

Coun Paul Browne, Lib Dem leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "It is utter madness. Wherever you go there are cones. There has been no thought about the commuter. It is a nightmare trying to get from one part of the borough to the other."

Ronnie O'Keeffe, president of Blackburn Chamber of Trade, said: "Traders are concerned because trade is being affected and we can only hope that trade does come back once the work is over."

Coun Ashley Whalley, executive member for regeneration added: "The alternative we faced was to have works carrying on over a two year period which I am sure could have been far more off-putting to shoppers than the short term disruption we have seen."