SURVEYING work is being carried out ahead of a multi-million scheme to widen Haslingden Road in Blackburn.

Blackburn with Darwen Council roads team workers have begun drainage surveys along Haslingden Road, with work expected to continue for the next two weeks.

A planning application for the £11.4million road scheme to cut traffic congestion on one of the main roads into Blackburn and improve access to the town’s hospital was submitted to the council in September.

The planned upgrades, which have been slightly revised from the initial blueprints following consultation with residents, will see Haslingden Road widened between the Beehive roundabout and Royal Blackburn Hospital and the creation of a new entrance to Royal Blackburn Hospital at Old Bank Lane.

There will also be a creation of a new Blackamoor link road and junction improvements.

The council said the improvements are much-needed and hope they will improve the congestion on the Haslingden Road corridor to and from Royal Blackburn Hospital and junction 5 of the M65.

A council roads spokesman said: “Works will be undertaken to carry out a number of drainage surveys along Haslingden Road from Old Bank Lane to Lions Drive.

“This is to determine locations/conditions of existing drainage features as we work towards the widening of Haslingden Road.

“Traffic will be managed via a mixture of lane narrowing, lane closures and temporary traffic lights, with works restricted to 9.30am and 3.30pm to minimise disruption to traffic.

“Works will be undertaken as rolling works to keep the working areas to a minimum.

“Traffic will be monitored constantly throughout the works and can be stopped if we experience a wave of heavy traffic and will resume once the network has returned to normal. It is expected that these works will take two weeks to complete.”

The widening work is due to start in early 2020 with a programmed completion by the end of March 2021.

The council says it hopes the upgrades will boost further development of business growth and job opportunities in the area, as well as supporting housing, both for families and staff at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

The Blackamoor changes are also designed to improve air quality and pedestrian facilities.