£55m improvement programme gains momentum in east Lancs

Work is ramping up on a £55 million programme of investment across east Lancashire.

The programme has been hailed as one of the largest infrastructure investments ever made in the east of the county, delivering improvements in Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale.

Following confirmation of £50min government funding from the Department for Transport, the project team has been preparing to move into the construction phase.

Lancashire County Council says that this has included making a start on the ‘Accessible Nelson’ improvements in the town centre in conjunction with Pendle Council.

Contractors have also been appointed to deliver the ‘Safer, Greener, Healthier Streets’ programme and the Manchester Road, Burnley, and Bank Street, Rawtenstall town centre improvements.

County Hall bosses say the delivery and construction phase started in earnest in January.

And it says the programme is designed to meet local needs while contributing to national priorities such as decarbonisation and reducing health inequalities.

It is expected to generate around 600,000 additional town centre trips each year, boosting footfall and supporting business growth.

The programme will also create more than 400 new jobs worth £3.5m to the local economy, improve health and wellbeing through increased walking and cycling, and cut carbon emissions by encouraging sustainable transport.

Work on public transport improvements has already begun and is expected to be delivered within nine months.

The programme is funded by £49.6m from the government’s Levelling Up Fund, alongside a £5m contribution from Lancashire County Council.

Councillor Brian Moore, cabinet member for Economic Development at County Hall, said: “This £55m investment in east Lancashire is a major step forward in transforming how we travel, how we access our town centres, and how we support our local economy.

"Residents will start to see real, visible change across our towns – strengthening civic pride and supporting future opportunities.

"Now the focus is firmly on delivering these improvements as quickly and smoothly as possible, unlocking the benefits for local communities.”