A SCHEME to widen one of Blackburn’s main roads has restarted after it was put on hold at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Socially-distanced construction will begin to widen Haslingden Road between Shadsworth Road and Lions Drive, as well as the creation of a new entrance to Royal Blackburn Hospital at Old Bank Lane.

Roundabouts will also be upgraded at major access points along Haslingden Road, including Shadsworth Road and DW Sports.

There will also be a new link road created which includes two new junctions at Roman Road/Newfield Drive and Blackamoor Road.

Blackburn with Darwen Council said it wants to push ahead with the scheme to ease traffic and boost jobs, as well as open up the area for new development.

Regeneration boss Councillor Phil Riley said: “It is very good news that work is restarting on this massive project. Obviously, the health and safety of people take precedence over everything else and this is why construction was stopped in March, but it is now possible to continue this work safely.

“This project is incredibly important for the future growth of the area and the borough, not just in business investment, housing developments and jobs but to give a much better experience for people using these major roads.”

The works are part of the £11.56million Growth Deal 3 South East Blackburn project which is now due to be completed by summer 2021.

When completed, the works will support the development of nearly 650 new homes and over 91,000 square metres of commercial floorspace to be used for new businesses.

The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has welcomed the restarting of the project, which it is helping fund.

Steve Fogg, chair, said: “What initially started as a public health crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic has unfortunately now become an economic crisis.

"I am pleased that work is due to recommence on the South East Blackburn project which has received £11.56m from the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Deal Programme.

“The sooner we are able to resume building our infrastructure projects, the sooner we are able to create jobs and provide the impetus to stimulate growth in the Lancashire economy.

“The LEP is in regular dialogue with Government and local partners to ensure we have the right interventions and support in place to mitigate the longer-term economic impact which will enable our businesses to recover, return to growth and create employment opportunities.”

The main contractor working on the project is the Rochdale-based firm Casey Group Limited, which will manage traffic with the aim of limiting disruption.

Graham Lang, head of construction at the Casey Group, said: “Our key objective is to deliver the project in the safest possible manner whilst maintaining the functionality of the adjacent residential and business properties in these highly populated areas.

“Our aim is to pose minimal disruption with a detailed and structured phased approach."