Route to Darwen school hit by road collapse

1:03pm Wednesday 27th February 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Dan Clough, Reporter

The road closure in St John's Avenue, Darwen The road closure in St John's Avenue, Darwen

A ROAD used by parents dropping off their children at school has been closed after it sank.

St John’s Avenue, Darwen, has been shut after large cracks appeared in the surface.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s highways department closed the road and asked United Utilities to investigate whether a collapsed sewer was to blame.

A spokesman for the utilities firm said mini CCTV cameras would be placed in the sewer this morning to check.

The road is close to St Peter’s Primary School in Turncroft Road.

Marsh House town councillor Simon Huggill said it had happened on numerous occasions before. He said: “The people who have fixed the road haven’t done a good enough job.

“The last time it was fixed was about 15 months ago and now it has been closed again. I am told the road was built on sand and when the water gets in, it causes it to sink.

“It could cause chaos for parents taking their children to school now that half-term is finished.”

St Peter’s headteacher Michele Tracey said parents had been parking further away from school to avoid problems.

She said: “This is the third time it has happened, I think, in the past six or seven years.

“It could do with being repaired properly. I just wish they would get on with it. Everyone knows about it and just deals with it.

“It is usually mayhem on the road but now that people know the road is closed, they aren’t coming as close to the school when they pick their children up.”

The United Utilities spokesman said: “We have been informed that the council has closed the road and one of the possible causes of the depressions is a collapsed sewer.

“We will be carrying out a survey today to see if any repair is needed on the pipe which runs under the highway.”

Comments (6)

3:57pm Wed 27 Feb 13

happycyclist says...

“It could cause chaos for parents taking their children to school now that half-term is finished.”

Chaos???? It's a road closure that has easy alternatives. I think the words you're looking for are 'minor inconvenience'.
“It could cause chaos for parents taking their children to school now that half-term is finished.” Chaos???? It's a road closure that has easy alternatives. I think the words you're looking for are 'minor inconvenience'. happycyclist

4:27pm Wed 27 Feb 13

allan1957 says...

Hardly a main road is St John's Ave plenty of other routes available to access Turncroft Rd via Sough Rd or Ratcliffe St maybe should leave it closed as parents aren't parking close to school and causing obstructions on the blind corner going to St Johns Ave
Hardly a main road is St John's Ave plenty of other routes available to access Turncroft Rd via Sough Rd or Ratcliffe St maybe should leave it closed as parents aren't parking close to school and causing obstructions on the blind corner going to St Johns Ave allan1957

6:47pm Wed 27 Feb 13

Womble says...

Heaven forfend that the children might have to walk a short way...
Heaven forfend that the children might have to walk a short way... Womble

1:56am Thu 28 Feb 13

tim otay71 says...

happycyclist wrote:
“It could cause chaos for parents taking their children to school now that half-term is finished.”

Chaos???? It's a road closure that has easy alternatives. I think the words you're looking for are 'minor inconvenience'.
Well said! My thoughts exactly!!
[quote][p][bold]happycyclist[/bold] wrote: “It could cause chaos for parents taking their children to school now that half-term is finished.” Chaos???? It's a road closure that has easy alternatives. I think the words you're looking for are 'minor inconvenience'.[/p][/quote]Well said! My thoughts exactly!! tim otay71

9:43am Thu 28 Feb 13

Lancs Lassie says...

happycyclist....reme
mber this is the Lancashire Telegraph reporting, dramatic blown out of all proportion at it's best...but imagine those poor children having to walk a few extra steps. bless them!
happycyclist....reme mber this is the Lancashire Telegraph reporting, dramatic blown out of all proportion at it's best...but imagine those poor children having to walk a few extra steps. bless them! Lancs Lassie

3:13am Sat 2 Mar 13

Rapid43 says...

Maybe it's the parents that could do with the extra exercise !!!
Maybe it's the parents that could do with the extra exercise !!! Rapid43

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