4:00pm Saturday 27th February 2010
By Chris Hopper
THE deputy leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council says he fears a major £45million transport scheme will “never happen” – after a snub by a Government minister.
The flagship Pennine Reach project, designed to link up Darwen, Blackburn and Accrington via a high-speed bus route, was set to be rubber-stamped by Transport Secretary Lord Adonis earlier this month.
But it has emerged that the scheme, which would see dedicated bus lanes built between the three towns, is still sat on the minister’s desk, prompting critics to question whether it will ever become a reality as cash-strapped Government mandarins prepare to make cuts.
Tony Melia, leader of the For Darwen party and deputy council leader, said: “It seems as if the Government has run out of money and programmes like this will run out of funds. For that reason, I don’t think Pennine Reach will ever happen – I think it will be chopped.
“It will be a blow for Blackburn, Darwen and Accrington but my view is that the scheme was never right and we should have gone for a tram system.”
Funding to the tune of £45million for the long-awaited Pennine Reach project was provisionally approved in 2006, although Secretary of State backing is also needed before work can begin.
That needed to come this month if, as planned, work was to start in Spring 2011, with the scheme completed in 2014.
Council chiefs behind Pennine Reach say passengers would get a faster, more efficient service with ‘through ticketing’ to make multiple journeys cheaper.
The project would also see a special ‘hub’ or mini-bus station set up in the Ewood area of Blackburn.
However, critics have argued that Pennine Reach would create traffic chaos and pollution down the A666.
A Department for Transport spokeswoman said a decision had yet to be made by the Secretary of State.
Coun Alan Cottam, Blackburn with Darwen Council executive member with responsilbity for transport, was unavailable for comment.
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