Motorway upgrade approved for Blackburn with Darwen
It's hoped the multi-million pounds project will tackle traffic on the M65
Plans have been approved for a multi-million pounds upgrade of the M65 at Blackburn with Darwen.
£30million is going to be spent as part of the Blackburn Growth Axis Transport (South East) scheme.
In June Blackburn with Darwen Council’s executive board appointed Balfour Beatty as its project’s main contractor.
Now the authority’s planners have granted the lawful development certificate necessary for the works to go ahead.
The junction’s southbound exit slip will be widened from two lanes to three and the entry slips in each direction would also be widened to allow for segregated left turn lanes for traffic entering the motorway.
The Grane Road and A6077 Haslingden Road, either side of the junction, will be widened to allow for similar left turns lane for northbound and southbound M65 traffic.
The roundabout would be expanded from two lanes to three with ‘intelligent’ traffic signals.
The project also includes improvements to local cycling and walking routes.
A report recommending approval of the certificate by planning officer Nick Blackledge says: “To enable the capacity improvements to the M65 Junction 5 Gyratory, additional approach lanes are to be provided to the A6077 and B6232
” In addition, the east-bound off slip from the M65 is to be widened to three lanes.
“Further capacity enhancements are proposed around the gyratory to provide an additional lane by moving kerb lines to achieve the necessary width.
“Three lanes will be marked out on the bridge deck although, due to the design and their form of construction, it is not possible to move the kerb lines to
provide the standard width lanes without having to fully close and resurface the affected areas.
“New surfacing will be constructed using asphalt. Any new barriers will be constructed from steel.
“The construction programme is currently envisaged as approximately 16 months.
“The development will employ up to 15 construction workers at a time.
“The main activities which will take place are: traffic management, site clearance, erection of fencing, drainage, earthworks, pavement, erection of traffic signals and street lighting, and landscaping.”
The council secured £20m from the government’s Levelling Up Fund in January to address transport issues in an area serving the Royal Blackburn Hospital, the EG Group’s headquarters, Evolution Park and Shadsworth Industrial Estate, and new housing.