Rossendale will benefit from approximately £8.8m of the successful Levelling Up Fund Round 2 award by government to Lancashire County Council (LCC).
A number of schemes will be implemented in Rossendale as part of the range of public transport, walking and cycling projects that are currently at the proposal stage for East Lancashire.
Projects will include developing local liveable neighbourhood schemes, public transport service improvements and supporting active travel and will be designed to significantly improve travel opportunities for people across the county.
The schemes could include things such as:
Approximately 25 Real Time Passenger Information displays at key bus stops
An intelligent bus priority (traffic signal improvements) to reduce journey times for bus passengers
A new 4km active travel route between Haslingden and Rawtenstall.
A new mobility hub in Rawtenstall to act as a focal point in the transportation network, integrating different modes with multi-modal, safe, and supportive infrastructure to maximise local connectivity and encourage active travel to easily access connected public transport services.
A Liveable Neighbourhood (location to be determined). Works might include raised table crossings, pocket park / cycle route / wider footways, modal filters / gateways, side road treatments, improved crossing points for pedestrians and cyclists, secure cycle parking, inclusive mobility, lighting, seating and planting
Further work including proposed scheme assessments and public engagement with local communities will now take place before developing detailed plans.
Rossendale Council Leader Alyson Barnes said: ” We welcome any funding that Rossendale receives if it means we can help and improve the lives of our residents.
“Transport links across Rossendale are notoriously difficult and we hope the funding from LCC’s Levelling Up award will help us go some way to improve this.”