MOTORISTS using the A56 face further weeks of traffic disruption after delays to work on the upgrade of Rising Bridge roundabout.

The £4.5million of major improvements have involved lane closures and some total closures of the rotary system since work began in February.

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The roadworks at the intersection are designed to improve the main link from the M66 to the M65.

The original due date to be completed was May.

However, a letter sent to residents by Balfour Beatty, the firm undertaking the work on behalf of the Highways Agency, said the firm now expect to complete the work in mid-September.

The letter said: “The delays are due to unforeseen circumstances such as uncharted utility services, weather conditions and road traffic collisions in the area.”

On July 5, a worker on the project suffered leg injuries after a driver failed to stop at a closed road during the works.

Highways England said the contractor was hit by a black Ford Focus at the roundabout.

Work will continue to take place between 8pm and 6am (7am at weekends), seven days a week.

Lighting improvement work close to the roundabout will mean temporary road closures between the Rising Bridge roundabout and Burnley Road.

Work has included new traffic lights, pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes, linking villages, schools and businesses on either side of the busy dual carriageway.

The roundabout, which links the A56 to the A680 Blackburn Road, has also been resurfaced and new lights will be installed.

The completed scheme will feature ‘intelligent’ traffic lights, which will use sensors in the road to monitor traffic approaching and adjust the lights accordingly.

Speaking about the plans Ann Taylor, secretary of the Friends of Acre Village, said: “There has been some traffic disruption but the final result will be well worth it, enabling the people of Acre village and Rising Bridge to cross the road safely to access local shops, services and Stonefold Primary School.”