11:10am Friday 10th July 2009
By Tom Moseley
FOUR options have been put forward for Blackburn’s new link road – turning the clock back to 2006.
Almost three years to the day since council bosses announced their preferred route for the £10million road, they have been forced to redo their consultation process because of a row over a listed building.
English Heritage has objected to plans to demolish the former police building at 53, King Street, which stands in the road’s path.
As a result of the saga, the dual carriageway – which will link up with the £12million Wainwright Bridge and complete the planned ‘orbital route’ around town – is facing more delays and ever-increasing costs.
Tory council leader Michael Lee said: “I wouldn’t say we are back to square one, but it is frustrating.
"I know it’s the job of English Heritage to look out for these buildings, but I am disappointed it’s taken so long.”
Council planners were taken aback by the strength of English Heritage’s opposition to the demolition of the building, while Blackburn MP Jack Straw branded the group’s stance “barmy”.
The council hopes by ruling out alternative routes it will strengthen its case if the row ends up in a public inquiry, which would add thousands of pounds more to the bill.
Other options to be put forward during the six-week consultation would see the road pass to the side of the building, but these would mean the road would not be able to link up with Montague Street in a straight line.
Another of the possible routes would take out the car park by St Wilfrid’s school and mean part of a Twin Valley housing complex would have to be knocked down.
All of the options would still require graves at St Peter’s churchyard, in St Peter’s Street, to be removed.
Council bosses said the Church of England Diocese was handling the project.
Coun Lee insisted the council’s original preferred route, which would also go through the former Byrom Supplies builder’s merchant, was still the best option and said it was “vital” to the regeneration of the town that it was built.
Barring more hold-ups, a planning application is expected in October, but no completion date has been set as it depends on whether an inquiry takes place.
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