Highways boss to be quizzed over Blackburn roadworks chaos

Weeks of roadworks have been causing jams across the town centre.

Bus driver councillor Saj Ali is to quiz a borough highways boss about the traffic chaos being caused by major roadworks in Blackburn centre. The 4BwD planning spokesman has tabled a question at Thursday (June 12) night’s meeting of Blackburn with Darwen Council executive board about the disruption caused by the work on Barbara Castle Way.

The Roe Lee councillor is asking Cllr Quesir Mahmood, the borough’s growth and development spokesman, about the issue following his own experiences of the traffic congestion. In April at least 14 weeks of roadworks began on the key part of Blackburn’s inner orbital route and have been causing jams across the town centre.

Cllr Ali’s question to Cllr Mahmood will come before the executive member asks for approval for £12 million of spending on upgrading its highway and footpath network affecting more than 65 roads in the borough.

His question says: “I’m excited about the £12 million investment into local roads, footpaths and travel network on today’s agenda. On a more immediate note, the roadworks currently underway on Barbara Castle Way are creating considerable disruption for residents

“Could I ask the executive member to outline what steps he is taking to tackle these traffic congestion problems and what measures is he proposing to prevent them recurring during the future highway improvements being approved this evening?”

Cllr Ali said: “As a bus driver I can see the chaos being caused by the roadworks on Barbara Castle Way on daily basis. The diversion to the number 22 bus from Blackburn town centre to Clitheroe via the Royal Blackburn Hospital is causing serious problems and delays.

“These works are affecting drivers’ and passengers’’ daily lives and routines badly affecting cars, buses, delivery vans and lorries. They have been mismanaged and badly organised.

“The timescale for them is far too long. With £12million of highway works now in the pipeline we need things to be done better in future.

“Blackburn cannot afford months if not years of more such traffic chaos.”