The Big Lamp Project
Funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund
Project timeline: 2021-2026
Haslingden is a historic mill town home to cobbled streets, an 18th Century listed merchant’s house and many 19th Century buildings. It holds possibly the oldest street market licence in England, with markets regularly held there since at least 1555.
Following the development of the Haslingden 2040 Vision, in July 2021, Rossendale Borough Council were successful in a grant funding bid to the National Lottery Heritage Fund for over £1.8m.
Due to a prolonged period of under-investment and post-industrial decline, the condition of the buildings in Haslingden’s town centre has been impacted greatly. In an effort to revitalise this historic town centre, Rossendale Borough Council received £1,837,700 for their project, Big Lamp - Shining Light on Haslingden's Heritage. The funding will support a five year project which aims to regenerate the area and encourage community engagement with the town and its heritage.
The project plans to create a new town square which will be used for community events, such as food markets and festivals. It also plans to:
- introduce a cycling infrastructure
- widen pavements
- refurbish its ‘Big Lamp’ (a local landmark)
- improve the area for wildlife and the environment
- introduce a one-way traffic system
- create Sustainable Urban Drainage systems
The Big Lamp project hopes to see growth in visitors to Haslingden following the town’s regeneration. The increased footfall will also support the local economy, bolstering existing businesses and creating new opportunities.
Project outcomes
The map of Deardengate demonstrates the transformation taking place in Haslingden town centre. This includes:
- Transformation of the northern stretch of Deardengate into a bustling town square, developing community engagement through vibrant activities and outdoor seating
- Improved pedestrian routes throughout the town centre linking retail hubs and residential areas
- Soft landscaping and electric charging points
- A revitalised market experience offering food, retail and events
- Wider footpaths to improve safety and accessibility
- Artwork and landscaping to bring the space to life
- Improved lighting to highlight the town's features
- Seating to create a community hub
- Parking and delivery bays for businesses
You can follow the progress of The Big Lamp Project on the Haslingden 2040 website
In June 2025 the public realm works on Higher Deardengate will begin.
There will be Temporary Traffic Regulation orders in place across Higher Deardengate and some surrounding streets (John Street).
These Temporary Traffic Regulation orders will eventually become permanent Traffic Regulation Orders.
The R1 bus (from Helmshore to Rawtenstall) will turn right, up Higher Deardengate,
It will then turn right onto Bank Street and left onto Bury Road.
Double yellow lines will be extended to maintain safe exit onto Bury Road.
The Higher Deardengate bus stop will be relocated to near the former Big Lamp Chippy, after which the bus will continue on its normal route.
The return route (from Rawtenstall to Helmshore) will see the bus stop at the bottom of Church Street.
It will turn right onto Bury Road, left onto John Street before joining Blackburn Road and continuing on its normal route.
Higher Deardengate will become one way from Pleasant Street, north up Higher Deardengate, with vehicles exiting onto Bury Road via Bank Street.
Double yellow lines will be extended to maintain safe exit onto Bury Road.
The following map shows the direction of traffic on Higher Deardengate, Pleasant Street, Hindle Street & Bank Street.
Vehicles will be able to enter and exit Pleasant Street as normal.
The traffic lights on Manchester/Blackburn Road will be amended to take into account fewer vehicles exiting Higher Deardengate at this end.
The footways along Higher Deardengate will be widened, making it safer for pedestrians.
The footways will also fall towards the road to improve drainage away from businesses.
The cycle route is also included in the project, with cyclists able to travel on the existing route north up Higher Deardengate.
The south bound cycle route will be via Bell Street.
The north end of Higher Deardengate will become a pedestrian only (with access) town centre square.
There will be new seating, lighting, artwork and planting to create an attractive, welcoming space with a focus on being able to host events and activities.
Parking on Higher Deardengate will be allowed
There will be restrictions proposed for Mon-Sat 8am-6pm two hours maximum - with no return within two hours.
Loading on Higher Deardengate will be allowed with restrictions proposed for Mon-Sat 6am-8am and 6pm-8pm.
John Street will also have changes which include the R1 bus route.
There will be some widening of the pavement at the junction with Regent Street – to allow for the safe turning of the bus.
A one-way system south from Regent Street to Union Street.
Union Street will allow two-way traffic and will be re-lined accordingly.
Double yellow lines will be extended but parking will be retained on the west side of John Street.
Across the areas affected there will be changes to traffic signs, road markings and parking restrictions – if you have any questions, please contact haslingden2040@rossendalebc.gov.uk
RBC Officers will be at Haslingden Market, every Friday from 12pm till 1pm to talk through the plans.
Information boards will be placed in Haslingden Library & Haslingden Community Link.
