Multi-million pound improvements to the roads network are ‘causing havoc’ around Hyndburn, it has been claimed.
Oswaldtwistle councillor Peter Britcliffe has slammed road bosses over delays to the £40 million Pennine Reach scheme which aims to improve transport links between Accrington and Blackburn, including a new Accrington bus station.
The former Conservative council leader wrote to Lancashire County Council’s (LCC) highways department to complain that footpaths at the Church roundabout on Market Street had still not been completed, as bosses replace bus shelters.
It is the latest in a series of disruptions to hit the scheme.
In May, the Observer reported that the completion of the Church gateway roadworks had been delayed by a month.
While in July passengers were facing delays of up to an hour on the Hyndburn Connect service.
And last month it was announced King Street in Accrington would be closed for nine weeks until November.
Coun Britcliffe said: “This is causing havoc.
“The pavement next to the Rose and Crown has been dug up for about six weeks. This is a a great hindrance to pedestrians and people have complained to me. I am disappointed that it was not sorted a lot earlier.
“All these things should have been sorted out before the work started, it’s a pity the i’s weren’t dotted and the t’s werent crossed.
“It’s little consolation for people that are caught up in it now. It just seems to me that there has been a lack of planning for these works.”
Speaking about the Church roundabout works, Rachel Harrod, district lead officer for LCC Highways, said: “It was intended that all work at the junctions would be carried out in the same construction period, but unfortunately a small area of land on the corner of Blackburn Road and Market Street is still in private ownership.
“As a result, the county council is unable to carry out the necessary works to complete the footpath at this location. Lancashire County Council is in discussion with the affected parties and should negotiations prove unsuccessful, is looking towards pursuing a Compulsory Purchase Order to acquire the land.”
Speaking about the whole scheme, Chris Anslow, LCC public transport development manager, said: “We’re sorry for the disruption. Once the work is finished people should notice a difference in the quality of facilities, and improved journey times.”
