Deal to combat roadworks jams in Darwen

FRUSTRATED motorists can breathe a sigh of relief after a deal was struck to delay one major set of roadworks until another has been finished.

Since work to replace gas mains began in the Lynwood area, light-controlled traffic on the A666 has often been at a standstill with 10-minute journeys often taking an hour.

At the same time, Blackburn with Darwen Council has started bridge widening work in Lower Eccleshill Road, a route often used as an alternative to the A666.

Now, after public outcry, the National Grid has agreed to suspend a full schedule of work after emergency repairs were completed. The remaining work will be finished once the Lower Eccleshill Road is open.

Brian Bailey, director of regeneration for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “We have worked with the National Grid to ensure their work on the A666 is completed as quickly as possible.

“This included weekend working and improved phasing of the temporary traffic lights to reduce queues. The temporary signals have now been removed and we are working hard to complete Lower Eccleshill Road ahead of schedule.

“Once we can reopen that road, we have agreed with National Grid that they can complete their works on A666.”

Abdul Khwaja, of Impress Dry Cleaning in Blackburn Road, had feared he wouldn’t be able to pay bills, after seeing trade cut by 20 to 30 per cent since the gas work started.

On hearing the news he said: “I am glad they’ve decided to put this deal in place, hopefully things will get a lot better now.

“I’ve got to say thank you to the Lancashire Telegraph for putting pressure on the council, because nobody listens to the likes of me.”

Comments(14)

happycyclist says...
8:08pm Tue 7 Aug 12

People power. Remember that. BwDBC working for the people, as they should do.

Info-warrior says...
8:32pm Tue 7 Aug 12

Nothing can beat travelling through traffic jams on a motorbike..

Darren1951 says...
10:18pm Tue 7 Aug 12

Interestingly, I heard a little snippet yesterday that a Blackburn Tory councillor, who actually works in Darwen, signed an agreement, or some such, for the Lower Darwen work to proceed when she had a holiday booked for most or all of that period. Can't verify it, but it makes you think, n'est ce pas?

Excluded again says...
6:51am Wed 8 Aug 12

To be fair to the Tories, they do not control the Council, so would not have approved the roadworks at Lower Eccleshill. As the works were planned to take place in the school holidays, when traffic is lightest, they were always likely to be Councillors on holiday when the roadworks were on.

Darren1951 says...
7:37am Wed 8 Aug 12

True

roversjeff says...
8:17am Wed 8 Aug 12

Our Kate (Leader of the council) won't be worried, she's riding about in a taxi somewhere!

burner says...
8:51am Wed 8 Aug 12

Is " Blackbirn " near here?

Darren1951 says...
9:22am Wed 8 Aug 12

Is " Blackbirn " near here?”

Somewhere near Darwin, perhaps?

Info-warrior says...
11:22am Wed 8 Aug 12

Darren1951 wrote:
Is " Blackbirn " near here?”

Somewhere near Darwin, perhaps?
Is " Blackbirn " near here?”

Somewhere near Darwin, perhaps?

Nowhere near here or Darwin..Its twinned with a place called Karachi but smells like Karongi especially in the precinct its sited near a place called Dingleton capital of bagheads.were old ladies are frightened of going outside with their bread money in their purses.very much a place to avoid unless your looking for heroin or your property from when you were burgled.

Darren1951 says...
12:51pm Wed 8 Aug 12

Info-warrior wrote:
Darren1951 wrote: Is " Blackbirn " near here?” Somewhere near Darwin, perhaps?
Is " Blackbirn " near here?” Somewhere near Darwin, perhaps? Nowhere near here or Darwin..Its twinned with a place called Karachi but smells like Karongi especially in the precinct its sited near a place called Dingleton capital of bagheads.were old ladies are frightened of going outside with their bread money in their purses.very much a place to avoid unless your looking for heroin or your property from when you were burgled.
Not thinking of Blackbiriani are you?

Darren1951 says...
12:53pm Wed 8 Aug 12

Info-warrior wrote:
Darren1951 wrote: Is " Blackbirn " near here?” Somewhere near Darwin, perhaps?
Is " Blackbirn " near here?” Somewhere near Darwin, perhaps? Nowhere near here or Darwin..Its twinned with a place called Karachi but smells like Karongi especially in the precinct its sited near a place called Dingleton capital of bagheads.were old ladies are frightened of going outside with their bread money in their purses.very much a place to avoid unless your looking for heroin or your property from when you were burgled.
I believe even some blokes are afraid to go outside alone in some parts of Dingleton.

Your ferret stinks says...
1:39pm Wed 8 Aug 12

Info-warrior wrote:
Darren1951 wrote: Is " Blackbirn " near here?” Somewhere near Darwin, perhaps?
Is " Blackbirn " near here?” Somewhere near Darwin, perhaps? Nowhere near here or Darwin..Its twinned with a place called Karachi but smells like Karongi especially in the precinct its sited near a place called Dingleton capital of bagheads.were old ladies are frightened of going outside with their bread money in their purses.very much a place to avoid unless your looking for heroin or your property from when you were burgled.
And your the one coming on here with all these educated philosophies from people who you idolise about how we are all doomed and how we should take your comments serious...........th
en you write this!
Hmmmm copy and paste springs to mind.

burner says...
2:31pm Wed 8 Aug 12

Hi, Darren. Is your Mum better now? Good to see we can share our humour.

Twicki1 says...
2:56pm Wed 8 Aug 12

Thought the council had no power over this. Amazing how when people kick off it gets dealt with!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!

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