People travelling in and around Rawtenstall are being reminded to plan journeys and allow extra time ahead of roadworks starting this week.
Traffic management measures will be in place from October to April in three locations north of the gyratory. The works have been planned to minimise disruption but are expected to cause some delays.
Upgrades to signal technology will relieve congestion and improve traffic flow in the town, while improvements to crossings and footways will also make journeys safer for pedestrians and cyclists. The project will enhance and improve key junctions, reduce congestion and provide a better travel experience for residents, visitors, and businesses.
The projects are part of Rawtenstall Masterplan, a transformative programme aimed at enhancing the town centre and addressing long-standing traffic and infrastructure challenges. The project is supported by a significant £17.9m funding boost from the former governments Levelling Up Fund, alongside £1.5m from Lancashire County Council's LEGDIF fund and £1.8m contributed by Rossendale Borough Council.
Preparation work at the first site will begin 16 October with work due to begin in earnest 21 October. The work is expected to last until December.
Phase 1 - 16 October to 20 December
Tup Bridge Junction – Burnley Road.
· Improvements will be made to crossings and footways, including the introduction of a new controlled crossing. Works will also include full signal technology upgrades including links with adjacent signals to improve traffic flow and make journeys more efficient.
It is expected that there will be some lane closures with temporary management systems and temporary traffic lights will be in place. However, works have been scheduled to avoid busy times and minimise disruption as much as possible.
Work will be staggered outside of peak times from 9.30am to 3.30pm, and evenings from 6pm to 10pm.
· Subway decommission – filling in the subway and ramps, including preparing the areas where the ramps were for planting.
Access will be maintained for all businesses although there may be some unavoidable disruption outside shops next to the subway. LCC will be working to minimise disruption and start work earlier to reduce inconvenience to businesses and people in the area.
From January to April
· Works at the Asda junction are planned for January and February and include full signal technology upgrades and crossing improvements.
· Improvements at the Bacup Road junction are planned from March next year, including some temporary road closures.
Residents, commuters and businesses are advised to prepare for possible disruption and allow extra time when travelling in the area.
Alyson Barnes Rossendale Borough Council Leader said: “It is inevitable that there will be some disruption while the work is carried out, and I appreciate how frustrating that will be for commuters – but this is all part of a bigger plan aimed at tackling some long-standing issues in the borough, including much-needed improvements to the traffic flow in Rawtenstall town centre, a change I’m sure we can all agree is overdue. We’d ask residents and businesses to bear with us while the work is being carried out and to allow extra provision when planning their journeys.”
County Councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for Economic Development, Lancashire County Council, said: "We are pleased to be contributing £1.5m towards the cost of delivering the Rawtenstall Masterplan, which will transform the town and benefit residents, visitors, and businesses alike. The new Gyratory System scheme is a key piece in this jigsaw and will greatly improve traffic flow by creating a more efficient and safer town centre for everyone.
"These are exciting times for Rawtenstall and we're working closely with Rossendale Borough Council to deliver these works on their behalf. There will inevitably be some disruption as we make these improvements, so we just ask everyone to bear with us and allow extra time when travelling in the area."