PREPARATIONS for a £4.8million link road scheme to speed traffic in and out of Blackburn are well under way for a New Year start to the main works.

Contractors North Midland Construction (NMC) have dug a series of massive holes along Accrington Road at Copy Nook in Audley to tests soil depths, composition and the strength of highway foundations.

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Utility contractors are due to start diverting services like gas, elect-ricity, and drains within days while compounds for lorries and machinery are prepared.

Early in January, temporary traffic lights will be installed as resurfacing work starts before widening 700 metres of carriageway for a new bus lane.

The work for the new Furthergate Link Road will then stretch through 2015 into the early part of 2016.

Borough regeneration boss Maureen Bateson promised that traffic disruption would not begin till the New Year by which time Railway Road and Eanam would be fully reopened.

She said the works, part of the £40 million Pennine Reach Scheme to speed bus journeys between Hyndburn, Blackburn and Darwen, would reduce congestion for motorists and open up new sites for business growth and job creation.

The £4.8million scheme will create a 1.1 kilometre link road between Furthergate and the Red Lion roundabout for the M65 Whitebirk junction six, parallel to Burnley Road and connected to Furthergate.

A new Pennine Gateway employment area around Kenyon Street will be created including the demolition of B and E Boys disused works.

Coun Bateson said: “Highway disruption will not start till the New Year after Eanam and Railway Road have re-opened. We will minimise this through traffic management schemes and temporary lights.

“In the long run, it will improve journey times for both public transport and motorists and open up the Pennine Gateway area for new employment opportunities.”

Audley councillor Salim Sidat said: “The excavations on Accrington Road show the link road scheme is well under way. It will improve life for bus passengers, drivers and residents by speeding traffic and minimising congestion when it is finished, “It will be well worth it in the long run.”