A CONTROVERSIAL scheme for a £3m link road through Darwen has been given the green light by a council.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s Executive Board approved plans for the Darwen East Development Corridor, as well as giving the go-ahead to purchasing land and properties relating to the properties.

The fully-approved application has been sent to the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership to make the final decision.

The proposal for the road and 350 homes were revealed to the Lancashire Telegraph in March last year, but in the report it was argued the scheme would ‘widen the choice of housing within the borough, in particular the delivery of larger family homes’.

It was claimed that it would ‘unlock land to enable the future development on new housing and improve access to employment opportunities’

It would also provide ‘a local traffic alternative for residents in South East Darwen to get to the M56 Junctions 4 and 5’.

After it was approved, the Council has appointed a contractor Eric Wright Civil Engineering Limited and nearby residents nearby will shortly be contacted with an update.

Work on the scheme is estimated to be completed by early 2019.

However, Cllr Roy Davies, who represents the Sudell ward on Blackburn with Darwen Council, believes the new link road is a ‘road to nowhere’.

He said: “I cannot see how it will help the roads as there is a going to be a weight restriction on the road which means the heavy goods vehicles are still going to use the current road.

“Only small vans and cars will be able to use the new road. I think it will be £3m that has been wasted.

“It has been said that it is a relief road from the A666 but I cannot see it making a difference.”

However, executive member for regeneration, Cllr Phil Riley, said: “This scheme will deliver a number of benefits including opening up land for much needed housing and high quality developments, allowing residents and businesses better access to the M65 and reducing congestion across Darwen. The planned junction works will also improve road safety and conditions for pedestrians and cyclists

“Extensive consultation was carried out and residents’ comments were taken on board and incorporated into the scheme. These include a 30 mph speed limit, weight restrictions to prevent heavy goods vehicles using the route and junction improvements."

Cllr Davies believes the scheme is going ahead despite their concerns.

He said: “There was a consultation at Moorland School and the Craven Heifer and people asked a lot of questions and their issues.

“But at the end of the day it is still going on.”

Jake Berry, MP for Rossendale and Darwen, said: "Whilst investment in Darwen is always welcome I have repeatedly raised concerns about the route of the new Darwen East Distributor Road and have urged the Council to undertake a full review to ensure that they have the support of local residents.

"My constituents in Darwen are crying out for schemes to reduce congestion on the A666 and around the motorway junctions, however they are not convinced that this scheme will have much of an impact with many of them labelling it as a 'road to nowhere'.

"We also need new quality homes for families in Darwen but I've always said that these should be built on brownfield, former industrial sites and locations before the Council gives the thumbs up to building on open green spaces around the town."