Burnley leads the way as £55m improvement programme ramps up in East Lancashire
Work is ramping up on a £55 million programme of investment across East Lancashire, with residents set to see the first visible changes in the weeks ahead.
The programme is one of the largest infrastructure investments ever made in East Lancashire, delivering improvements in Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle and Rossendale.
Following confirmation of £50 million in government funding from the Department for Transport, the project team has been preparing to move into the construction phase. This has included making a start on the Accessible Nelson improvements in Nelson town centre in conjunction with Pendle Borough Council and selecting contractors to deliver the Safer, Greener, Healthier Streets programme and the Manchester Road, Burnley, and Bank Street, Rawtenstall town centre improvements.
The delivery and construction phase will start in earnest this month.
The first major works will begin in mid‑January on Manchester Road and Colne Road in Burnley. These will deliver a mixture of public realm and safety improvements, including wider pavements, upgraded pedestrian crossings and refreshed public spaces on Manchester Road, alongside public realm and neighbourhood safety measures on Colne Road. A new safety camera scheme will also be introduced on Colne Road in direct response to stakeholder feedback during extensive engagement.
The programme aims to improve everyday life for residents by investing in safer streets, better public transport and more vibrant town centres. It also seeks to help tackle inequalities by improving access to jobs and services and supporting local economies.
These improvements will be delivered through three connected projects:
• Safer, Greener and Healthier Streets – safer, more accessible local streets with new crossings, pathways, planting and seating, and measures to improve road safety.
• Accessible and Vibrant Town Centres – enhancements to Burnley, Nelson and Rawtenstall town centres, including wider pavements, better crossings, refreshed public spaces, and improvements to support local businesses and outdoor dining.
• Public Transport Improvements – faster, more reliable bus journeys through upgraded traffic signals, real‑time passenger information at more than 100 bus stops, and accessibility upgrades at around 180 stops.
Shaped by extensive consultation with local communities and stakeholders, 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.
The county council aims to deliver the Accessible and Vibrant Town Centres in 12 months and the Safer, Greener and Healthier Streets projects in nine months.
Work on the Public Transport Improvements has already begun and is expected to be delivered within nine months. This includes upgrading traffic signals to improve journey times, installing real‑time passenger information at more than 100 bus stops, and carrying out accessibility improvements at around 180 stops to make boarding safer and more convenient. These upgrades will support more dependable services and encourage greater use of sustainable transport across East Lancashire.
County Councillor Brian Moore
The programme is funded by £49.6m from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, alongside a £5m contribution from Lancashire County Council.
County Councillor Brian Moore, cabinet member for Economic Development, said:
“This £55 million 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.”
To find out more about the programme, visit: East Lancs LUF - Lancashire County Council - Citizen Space