First stage of vital works in Rawtenstall are completed before Christmas

The first set of works on St Mary's Way at the Tup bridge junction with Newchurch Road and Haslingden Old Road were completed one week ahead of schedule, and the temporary traffic lights have been removed. The completed work at the junction includes a new controlled crossing point and upgrades to signal technology.

Work is progressing well at the other sites on St Mary's Way. All work will pause for the Christmas period, and traffic restrictions will be removed during this time, although safety barriers will remain in place. Work on site finishes today (Friday 20 December) and will start again on Monday 6 Jan at the Asda and Bacup Road junctions.

Lancashire County Councillors Aidy Riggott and Scott Smith joined Rossendale Councillor Nick Harris last week to visit the site and see the new controlled crossing.

The project is being delivered by Lancashire County Council on behalf of Rossendale Borough Council as part of the Rawtenstall Masterplan, a transformative programme aimed at enhancing the town centre and addressing long-standing traffic and infrastructure challenges. The project is supported by a significant £17.9m funding boost from the government's Levelling Up Fund, alongside £1.5m from Lancashire County Council's LEGDIF fund and £1.8m contributed by Rossendale Borough Council.

Councillor Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for Economic Development and Growth at Lancashire County Council said:

"It was great to see this first stage of vital work delivered and the excellent progress being made. We have been working hard to keep disruption to a minimum and ensure that access is maintained for businesses."

Councillor Scott Smith, lead member for Highways and Active Travel at Lancashire County Council said:

"This is a really important project, which will enhance and improve key junctions, reduce congestion and provide a better travel experience for residents, visitors, and businesses."

Councillor Nick Harris, lead member for Economic Development at Rossendale Borough Council, said:

"It was great to see the first phase of the road re-building work has been completed. Some of the new digital traffic lights are ready allowing synchronisation and a much better traffic flow when they are switched on. Fortunately, the traffic disruption doesn’t seem to have been too problematic for traders given that all of the car parks were full on Friday."