A GATEWAY to key Blackburn and Darwen industrial sites is set to be boosted by bridge widening works.

The scheme will see improvements in Greenbank Terrace to the north of the M65 where it crosses Davy Field Brook.

For five years, Blackburn with Darwen Council has tried to acquire land to the west and east of Greenbank Terrace and Lower Eccleshill Road, to widen the bridge and road so that HGVs can pass.

But negotiations with land-owners have failed, and now the council has secured permission to apply for a “last resort” compulsory purchase order on the land, meaning work could start this year.

The current bridge over the brook is sub-standard at 5.5m wide with no footpaths – a current carriageway is 7.3m.

A council report states: “Since the opening of the M65 in 1997, Greenbank Terrace and Lower Eccleshill Road have become more heavily trafficked and is now a major entry and exit point to industrial areas of Lower Darwen, Chapels and Darwen.”

The report says widening the bridge would not only aid future regeneration of the surrounding area, particularly for heavy traffic to and from industrial areas, but also reduce flood risks.

Coun Eileen Entwistle said: “This is an important gateway to a busy industrial area and widening will help the future regeneration of the area. It will also reduce flood risk and improve road safety as there currently isn’t a footpath for pedestrians.”