COMMUTERS travelling in and out of Blackburn have been hampered by long delays after a series of roadworks blocked a main road.

Lancashire County Council is creating an access road in Samlesbury for the long-awaited Lancashire Enterprise Zone.

Temporary traffic lights on Preston New Road, which links Blackburn with Preston and the M6, have caused extensive tailbacks for motorists at rush hour.

As a consequence of the roadworks, a large portion of the road at Mellor has had its 50mph speed limit reduced to 30mph.

There has also been a second set of works, which at some points this week have been controlled by temporary traffic lights, as United Utilities and British Telecom carry out repairs to telephone cable boxes and a leaking water main.

However, this work is due to be completed today.

Angela Hunt-McDonagh, a spokesman for Samlesbury Hall, said: “It has affected some of my staff as they travel daily from Blackburn each day.

“We have not noticed a direct effect on business as, in fact, cars are having to drive slower past us and are taking notice of what we are.

“But our staff have had to set off earlier to take the roadworks into consideration toavoid being late.”

Cllr Glen Clayton, of Samlesbury and Cuerdale Parish Council, said: “Roadworks have got to be done, it is the sort of thing you have to put up with for a short amount of time and then it has gone."

“I haven’t spoken to any residents about it.”

The access road, which has been built and designed by the the county council, will run through the BAE Systems’ site and rejoin the A59.

BAE Systems did not want to comment on the issue.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: “We understand there may have been some delays this week to traffic on Preston New Road due to temporary utility works being carried out. However, these are due to end today.

“People may have noticed that work has recently begun off Preston New Road on the new entrance to the BAE Systems' site.

“This is in its very early stages and we’ll let people know more once we get to the point where there will be an impact on traffic.”

Despite the congestion, it has not been doom and gloom for everyone on the road.

Lisa Hammerton, a barista at the Mellor Brook Costa Coffee said the delays had slightly improved business.

She said: “People have been nipping in whilst queuing, bought a drink and have then left, it’s one positive from the bad delays.”

“There traffic has been very bad down here and there has been large amounts of queuing .

“I’ve been working here the past few days as the roadworks have started and I have noticed a lot more customers coming into the shop, especially in the morning.

United Utilities and British Telecom were unavailable for comment.