MOTORISTS have been left struggling through town centre gridlock due to roadworks.

People living and working in Rawtenstall have complained about long tailbacks affecting travel throughout the town as the work is carried out.

Rossendale council leader Alyson Barnes said ‘major delays’ have been caused by roadworks at Bocholt Way and Newchurch Road taking place at the same time.

Cllr Barnes said: “Quite a few residents have been in contact with myself and fellow councillors about the gridlock in Rawtenstall town centre – and it was especially bad on Sunday.

“This has been caused by roadworks at both Bocholt Way and Newchurch Road taking place at the same time, which have been going on for a few weeks.

“Both road works are being done at the same time, causing unnecessary disruption and big delays in the town centre.

“I have already written to highways and the leader of the county council and the council will continue to raise the issue to see if anything can be done to ease traffic problems.”

A county council spokesman apologised for the disruption, which includes work being carried out as part of the nearby Aldi development on Bocholt Way, which will take a further three weeks.

The spokesman said: “We’re sorry for the current disruption due to a number of pieces of work taking place in Rossendale at the moment, however we are working to coordinate them to minimise inconvenience to people’s journeys as far as possible.

“The work to widen Bocholt Way to create two lanes of traffic leading onto the gyratory system is being carried out as part of the nearby Aldi development. As part of this work, the traffic signals are being upgraded with new detector loops to change the timing of the signals in response to traffic levels, which will coordinate with signals at the gyratory roundabout.

“We have spoken with Aldi’s contractors who anticipate this will take a further three weeks, however once complete should lead to much improved flow of traffic in this area.

“The work taking place at the junction of Newchurch Road, Brandwood Road and Four Lanes End is to make essential repairs to a culvert beneath the road. It is vital that this work is completed before the winter months to minimise the risk of flooding to neighbouring properties.

“Our investigations to reach the culvert have uncovered problems with a sewer and we’re currently coordinating with United Utilities to progress this as quickly as possible.”