Leader of the Council, Alyson Barnes, monthly update for October 2024
This week I wanted to update you on work that is being delivered via the former Levelling Up fund. You may recall the council and local business partners were successful in securing a large funding allocation from this source in 2023. This is an ambitious programme that looks to address some long-standing practical problems in the borough including improving the traffic flow in Rawtenstall town centre. I think all will agree that this is much needed.
The whole programme includes – work to the gyratory, the redevelopment of Bacup and Rawtenstall markets, improvements to pathways from Bocholt Way to Bank Street, and investment in a skills and training hub to ensure better access to job opportunities for local people.
The bid secured £17.9m in government funding towards the cost of this work, £1.5m from Lancashire County Council and the borough council will also contribute £1.8m towards to cost of the programme.
We have been moving quickly on many aspects associated with delivering this work. Progress to date on Bacup Market includes – consultation with the public and other local stakeholders, appointing architects, demolition of the old Barclays bank, agreeing the scheme that will go forward after further consultation and the submission of a planning application – this will be heard at the development control meeting in October. With an expected start on site date early in the new year. Completion of the new market in Bacup is expected in March 2026.
Refurbishment to Rawtenstall Market has followed a similar path, with an anticipated start date of March 2025 and completion in March 2026. Work on Rawtenstall market also includes relocating well over 30 small businesses for the during of the works – not a small task in itself. I know some people have queried why we want to carry out work at Rawtenstall Market. The simple answer is that the market building itself is in a very poor state of repair as are the external cabins. This investment should help to secure the markets place in Rawtenstall for future generation to enjoy, as we do.
Work to the gyratory has involved getting further design work carried out, consultation with local businesses and residents and signing off the relevant agreements with the county council that are needed for work to proceed.
Improvements to the gyratory will be done in two phases, firstly the county council will carry out work on Bacup Road and St Mary’s Way to facilitate a right turn off Bacup Road for buses onto St Mary’s Way - keeping Burnley bound buses off the gyratory altogether, and to fill in the old underpass on St Mary’s Way. This is going to start later this month and should be on site until March 2025. Please be aware that there are likely to be delays driving through Rawtenstall for the duration of the work. Lancashire County Council who are carrying out these improvements have been made aware of just how challenging it is to negotiate this area of the borough at peak traffic times and when temporary lights are in situ. Temporary lights will be linked to the existing traffic light system to try to ease traffic flow.
Specific details will be available in the press and on social media from the end of this week. The contract for work to the main gyratory will be awarded in March 2025.
The council are once again surveying residents to establish what they think about the council and its services. This annual activity helps the council to understand what is important to you and where we need to allocate resources. In the past we have put more funding into clearing up fly tipping and town centre bin emptying rounds because of your feedback.
Please take a minute to complete the questionnaire, which is available online https://bit.ly/RBCResidentsSurvey2024
There are also QR codes for this in bus stops and shops. Paper copies can be requested by ringing 01706 217777
Another useful publication is the council's monthly community bulletin, that talks about everything that is going on in the borough each month - everything we know about. The bulletin can be viewed online https://bit.ly/OctoberCommunityBulletin2024 Or a copy can be viewed at local libraries. You can also sign up to the council's quarterly newsletter here https://bit.ly/RBCNewsletterSign-Up
As ever if you need to speak to me you can get in touch by email alysonbarnes@rossendalebc.gov.uk or ring me on 07817 414248.