BIG city red lines to stop ‘dangerous’ parking and speed traffic on a multi-million pound highway scheme went live this morning.

They were painted in September and enforcement of tough ‘no stopping or loading’ rules started at 00.01 this morning.

The new system covers section of the A678 on Copy Nook, Bottomgate and Furthergate widened under the £40million Pennine Reach Scheme to speed buses between Hyndburn, Blackburn and Darwen.

The red route (using powers so far only implemented in London, Birmingham and Edinburgh) stretches from Larkhill and the Eanam Roundabout to Accrington Road and Gorse Street with stopping and loading prohibited except in a few marked and signed bays with time restrictions.

It will be enforced by CCTV cameras, police and council officers and covers both sides and central ‘reservation’ areas, with fines of £70 reduced to £35 if paid within 14 days.

The £4.8million Furthergate Link Road from the M65 Junction 6 is one of two key gateways in Blackburn town centre.

Early next month the average speed cameras install last month on the B6232 Grade Road between the M65 Junction at Guide and the A56 through Rossendale and Manchester at Haslingden will also ‘go live’.

Cllr Phil Riley Blackburn with Darwen Council highways boss said the new ‘red route’ was vital to ensure that the investment in the link road would ensure a quicker entry into Blackburn for buses and motorists.

Council Tory group leader Cllr John Slater said: “I am pleased the red route has now gone live. It’s about time.

“Motorists penalised cannot complain they did not have plenty of notice.”

Since completed, the new road has been plagued by careless and dangerous parking with drivers leaving vehicles in the middle of Copy Nook forcing the council to install water-filled barriers and bollards to stop them.

Cllr Riley said: “The enforcement of these powers should deter dangerous parking and driving behaviouron this new road.

“It is about enabling traffic, particular public transport but also ordinary motorists, to move speedily and safely.”

He added this was the first time a ‘red route’ had been used in the North-West or outside big cities and local traders initially opposed it’s introduction. predicting a ‘a nightmare’.