Blackburn drivers experienced growing delays last year

It comes as motorists across England encountered more congestion than ever on the strategic road network, which includes local and major A-roads and motorways, with the RAC blaming the problem on too many roadworks.

Department for Transport figures show drivers travelling on local A-roads in Blackburn with Darwen were delayed by one minute and one second per mile on average when compared to the pace they would have made if driving at the speed limit in free-flowing conditions.

This was up from 56 seconds per mile the year before.

The roads include, but are not limited to the A6077, the A6078 and the A666, which roughly takes in Barbara Castle Way, Higher Audley Street, Lower Audley Street, Russell Street, Haslingden Road, Alan Shearer Way, Bolton Road and Blackburn Road.

A table showing the difference in delays per second per mile on roads in Blackburn with Darwen between 2019 and 2023 (Image: Data from Department for Transport)

On the A6077 in 2022 the average delay was 54.1 seconds per mile. This rose to 67.7 in 2023.

The A6078, Higher Audley Street, which leads onto the A678 around Copy Nook, saw the greatest delays in Blackburn with Darwen at one minute and 27 seconds per mile.

On the A6078, the average delay in 2019 was one minute and 23.4 seconds per mile.

While on the A666 the delay time between 2019 and 2023 rose 0.6 seconds from 60.8 to 61.4 seconds per mile.

The same figures show drivers travelling on A-roads in the rest of Lancashire were delayed by 39 seconds per mile on average when compared to the pace they would have made if driving at the speed limit in free-flowing conditions.

The A6063, Deepdale Road in Preston, saw the greatest delays in Lancashire at one minute and 33 seconds per mile.

In 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic which saw traffic levels plummet, the average delay for motorists in the area was also one minute and one second per mile.

Nationally, drivers were held up by 48 seconds per mile on local A-roads – the highest figure since 2019.

These figures cover only A-roads, which account for around 10 per cent of England's highway network but carry around a third of all traffic.

Meanwhile, factoring in motorways and major A roads, drivers across the country were delayed by a record 11 seconds per mile.

Speeds were measured using samples of vehicles recorded at different times of the day.

Cllr Quesir Mahmood, Blackburn with Darwen Council's growth and development boss and deputy leader of the council has been contacted for comment. 

RAC head of policy Simon Williams said: "It’s very concerning to see delays on our most important roads increasing to above pre-pandemic levels and average speeds are dropping.

"With more people than ever working from home at least part of the week and no growth in the number of cars on the road since then, we’re struggling to see what the cause can be other than roadworks.

"Given the disappointing findings, it’s more important than ever that National Highways, which is responsible for the strategic road network, is given sufficient funds in the next five-year road investment settlement to tackle these issues head-on."

The data also shows the average speed drivers travelled along local A roads, with the national average falling to 23 miles per hour last year, the lowest figure since before the pandemic.

In Blackburn with Darwen, motorists averaged 18.5 mph – up marginally from 18.1 in 2019.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "This government backs drivers, which is why we’re getting on with our plan to invest over £24 billion into our roads to reduce congestion, improve road safety and grow the economy.

"As well as investing more into new and improved roads, we have a plan for drivers to slam the brakes on anti-driver measures and help keep our country moving."