OVER-RUNNING road works on the main route into Blackburn centre from Whitebirk’s Junction Six of the M65 are causing continuing traffic misery for drivers and traders.

The delays and the council’s refusal to provide information have been condemned by borough Tory leader Mike Lee.

He and traders’ leader Tony Duckworth are furious at new postponements in lifting closures and diversions around Burnley Road, Accrington Road, and Copy Nook.

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Although Gorse Street has reopened, Higher Audley Street remains closed despite being due to reopen in June or early last month.

Temporary traffic lights currently control single-file traffic on Accrington Road on town side of the junction with Burnley Road.

Higher Audley Street will now reopen in early September with the wider £4.8 million Furthergate Link Road scheduled for completion in ‘The Autumn’.

The scheme is the £40 million Pennine Reach public transport upgrade.

Cllr Lee raised the issue at Blackburn with Darwen’s full Council Forum last month when regeneration boss Phil Riley admitted to ‘technical and geological problems’ but gave no further details or a timetable for the completion of works.

He said: “The delays with these works are appalling.”

Mr Duckworth, President of Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade, said: “This is a disgraceful lack of planning of these roadworks and the whole Pennine Reach scheme.”

Cllr Riley’s deputy Jamie Groves said: “The Furthergate scheme is progressing well despite utility diversion work that the project has had to deal with. “At this present time we are hopeful that Higher Audley Street will reopen in early September.”

A council spokeswoman said: “Gorse Street has now re-opened and diversion works are still progressing on Furthergate.

“Resurfacing works are also taking place to the widened section along Furthergate.

Cllr Groves added:”Whilst we appreciate road user delay, commuters are beginning to see the scheme taking shape which will be of benefit to everyone once complete.”