GROWTH DEAL 3 – PENNINE GATEWAYS PROJECT NORTH PACKAGE – OCTOBER 2018 UPDATE

An information event for residents and businesses took place at St Gabriel’s Church Hall, Drive, Blackburn, BB1 9BA on Wednesday 5th September 2018, 4pm - 7pm. Over 100 people attended the event to speak to representatives from the Council. This document provides a summary of comments made by the general public and how the Council intends to respond to them. This document has been uploaded to the Council’s website and information portal for the scheme at: http://www.blackburn.gov.uk/Pages/growthdeal.aspx

You said Council’s response What is the main reason behind the scheme? Brownhill Roundabout forms a key intersection between the Ribble Valley, Blackburn Town Centre, Blackburn’s Employment zones at Whitebirk, and wider connectivity to the M6/M65/M66 motorways. A number of housing developments are in the pipeline in the vicinity to the junction, hence the need to upgrade this and adjacent junctions. The North Blackburn project comprises three civil engineering works packages as follows:  Brownhill Roundabout upgrade, including intelligent traffic signal equipment, geometry and resurfacing. Whalley New Road parking amendments and bus stop formalisation.  Pleckgate Road / Ramsgreave Drive (Knowles Arms) junction improvement, including new traffic signal equipment.  Whalley Old Road / Whitebirk Drive junction capacity upgrade, increases to northbound “stacking” lane and new traffic signal equipment.

In terms of wider improvements, the following are planned:  Associated sustainable transport improvements for walking and cycling  Junction profiling, alignment and infrastructure  Associated highways signage, street lighting, drainage, surfacing, lining and soft/hard landscaping  Potential to include ducting for future Variable Messaging Signs (VMS) operations and signs. Where are the future employment and housing opportunities which will be There are a number of sites adjacent to the new link road which have been identified released by the scheme? for development within the Council’s Adopted Local Plan. Details on the Local Plan can be accessed via the following weblink: http://www.blackburn.gov.uk/Pages/Local-Plan- Part-2-submission-documents.aspx Details on the housing and employment sites can be seen on the scheme drawing via: https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/Lists/DownloadableDocuments/North-Blackburn- Growth-Zone.pdf What previous consultation has been undertaken with local people? Options in relation to the scheme have been presented and discussed at previous Ward Solutions Meetings where Residents, Council Officers and Council Members have been in attendance. The scheme was been discussed in detail at a Residents Ward Solutions meeting which took place on 20th February 2018. What stage is the project at? The Enterprise Partnership prioritised the “Pennine Gateways” project, put forward by Blackburn with Borough Council in January 2017, and has approved in principle £12m of funding to deliver it.

The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership has secured £320 million from the Government's Local Growth Fund to support economic growth in the area through the Growth Deal. The Lancashire Growth Deal as agreed with Government aims to realise the growth potential of the whole of Lancashire, building on key local economic assets and high- value business clusters. The deal will help to:  Create up to 11,000 jobs and 3,900 new homes  Attract £1.2 billion of new private sector investment to Lancashire

The Pennine Gateways project contributes significantly to the “Releasing Growth Potential” priority of the LEP, through essential transport improvements to motorway junctions and railway lines as well as building new roads which support job creation and enable the release of more land for homes and businesses. Has the project got planning approval? Planning approval for the project is not required, as works are contained within the boundaries of the Highway. What are the benefits for residents? The project will upgrade three junctions where traffic signals are time expired. The latest signal control equipment detects demands at all junction arms and calculates the best throughput of traffic, which will decrease queuing and congestion at the junctions. Scheme outcomes include improvements to road safety, congestion and air quality. How is the scheme going to be funded? The Council has secured £12m of Local Growth Fund 3 funding from the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership to deliver highways infrastructure between Summer 2018 and March 2021 for the “Pennine Gateways” project. The North Blackburn project package is likely to commence construction from February 2019 and be complete by early 2020.

North Blackburn scheme “Whalley Old Road/Brownhill Drive – straight junction rather than off-set” The Council has explored a number of options which range from the preferred signals upgrade scheme, to starting from scratch and removing all the “roundabout” infrastructure, to shortening the right turn from Ramsgreave Drive into Whalley New Road (Blackburn Town Centre direction). In terms of costs vs benefits, the preferred solution is the one which delivers the best value for money. Discounted schemes were significantly more costly due to the amount of utilities which are in the highway. “Could we use the limited spare land around the roundabout to increase Other options have been looked at and have been discounted for benefit vs cost capacity i.e. Brownhill Plantation + island on Brownhill Drive” reasons. “Confusing lane markings & signals on approaches to the roundabout” Highways markings and surfacing will be renewed by the project. “Make the junction more pedestrian friendly. Currently pedestrians have The Council’s design team has looked at the crossing points. In order to strike a balance to cross Whalley New Road and Brownhill Drive in two sections. On between vehicular and pedestrian traffic, crossing points will be kept “as is” at: Whalley Ramsgreave Drive there is currently no provision for pedestrians to cross.” New Road (both sides of the junction) and Brownhill Drive. “Currently traffic coming from Whitebirk direction on Brownhill Drive and Traffic signal sequencing and associated markings are currently being designed by the wishing to turn right on Whalley New Road towards Clitheroe does not project team. always get a green in the sequence that the lights change. This sometimes causes traffic making this manoeuvre to obstruct other traffic coming across the junction. Traffic making the above manoeuvre should always get a green allowing them to clear the junction. There is considerable amount of traffic making the Brownhill Drive/Whalley New Road right turn especially at peak times. Well worth watching when a cyclist, horse or bus does not trigger the transponder buried in the carriageway. Traffic coming down Ramsgreave Drive wishing to turn right onto Whalley New Road towards town always gets a green allowing traffic to clear the junction.” “Correct traffic light information to drivers. Currently the traffic light Traffic signal sequencing and associated markings are currently being designed by the located on Ramsgreave Drive, adjacent to the Railway bridge, when the project team. amber/green lights show they are upright arrows (and not full circular lights). This indicates according to the highway code that traffic can only proceed in the direction of the arrow i.e. straight on. When in fact traffic may also turn sharp left up Pleckgate Road or bear left into Whalley New Road. I hope that with the new junction that this will be corrected alleviating confusion to strangers visiting the area.” “Can a pedestrian crossing be installed on the westbound approach to Not possible with current junction arrangement as it would introduce an additional stop Brownhill junction?” line and signals equipment that would restrict views of the junction and interfere with traffic flow through junction. Realignment of the junction not considered as part of this scheme. “Will there be a right turn phase for traffic heading eastbound on Traffic light phasing is currently in design and phasing to be confirmed in relation to the Ramsgreave Drive onto Pleckgate Road? Currently only enough time to get Pleckgate Road junction. one car through and tailbacks occurring.” “Cycle detection required for cycles within the junction at Brownhill for Cycle detectors at Brownhill Roundabout to be installed as part of the scheme. cycles heading right onto the Whalley New Road from Brownhill Drive.” “Note that there are mobility impaired pedestrians using the junction and Awaiting trial results from the Neatebox and review potential for installing within the also the Consultation was attended by a gentleman with Parkinson’s North Blackburn project. Disease. I did discuss the potential of Neateboxes currently on trial in Blackburn and these were warmly received.” “General issues with speeds of vehicles approaching Brownhill junction. Improvements included to lighting to improve safety and surfacing to improve skid Request for rumble strips and speed cameras.” resistance. Potential to amend speed limit change locations. “Query as to why there was no letter drop regarding the event” Over 100 people attended the information event which was advertised by:  BwD Council Roads Facebook page (15,000 friends)  BwD Council Neighbourhoods Facebook page  Text to residents who have signed up for the service via Neighbourhoods and Ward Solutions meetings  BwD Council Twitter  story 2nd September 2018: https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/16682908.multi-million- brownhill-roundabout-scheme-plans-to-go-on-show/  PR via the Shuttle e-Newspaper 30th August 2018: https://theshuttle.org.uk/new-gateways-gearing-up-to-boost-business-and- housing-in-north-blackburn/?highlight=brownhill

Whalley New Road “General request from local shops on Whalley New Road for more parking Options for on-street parking to be reviewed and to be consulted via Statutory Traffic and/or amendments to the restrictions” Regulation Order process before implementation. “Request for pedestrian crossing closer to shops rather than at the Junction crossing to remain on Whalley New Road as it is essential to ensuring junction” pedestrian access around the junction. An additional crossing further north has been ruled out due to the reduction on parking. “Can the Double Yellow Lines be attended by enforcement officers to issue The Council’s resources are stretched in terms of parking enforcement, but the issue tickets?” has been passed on to the Council’s Parking and Enforcement team. “Reflector & clear lines on approach to roundabout on Whalley New Road” Lines, markings and signage will be upgraded as part of the project.

“Speeding traffic from and to the roundabout onto Whalley New Road. Speed restrictions are being reviewed and the current 30 mph zone will be extended. Poor road signage and line condition currently” Lines, markings and signage will be upgraded as part of the project.

“Dealing with parking on approach roads – short stay for shops from the Options for on-street parking to be reviewed and to be consulted via Statutory Traffic roundabout to Rising Sun, prevent long stay” Regulation Order process before implementation.

Nearby “Look at Cornelian Street and no entry from Brownhill Drive” There are currently no plans to restrict access into Cornelian Street from Brownhill Drive. “On the A6119 extend the 30mph in either direction, West beyond The role and function of Yew Tree Drive / Ramsgreave Drive will change in future years. Pleckgate Road and East beyond Emerald Avenue. This will slow traffic A 30mph speed limit will be in force in this location alongside additional measures down in the built up area and across the Brownhill junction. Currently, including: direct access into developments i.e. Priority give ways, Toucan crossing traffic travelling across Brownhill junction mostly does so well in excess of points, road markings and surfacing (rumble strips), and possible raised tables. the speed limit because the 30mph zone starts too near the junction. This should also reduce the number of road signs required. It will also save the council having to replace railing regularly knocked down by speeding vehicles.” “Cars avoiding Brownhill junction are going against the one way systems Problem will be alleviated through improvements to Brownhill junction. Signage will be on Church Walk and St. Gabriel’s Avenue to access Brownhill Drive. Cars reviewed and updated to remind drivers of the one-way systems in place. are meeting head on in the middle of the road and having to mount the kerb to pass. Informally observed as being the same 4/5 cars from nearby estate.” “Request for traffic calming on Brownhill Road due to narrow roads and There is potential for an additional traffic calming scheme to be introduced on high speeds. Can a 20mph limit be installed?” Brownhill Road. “Pedestrian crossing near Co-Op further up Whalley New Road. Green man This issue will be addressed by the Council’s Traffic Signals Department. phase too short with vulnerable pedestrians unable to cross in time.” “Queries on Roe Lee access and will there be signals?” Confirmed that no signals currently proposed as part of the Persimmon Homes development at Roe Lee. The ducting for future signalisation is being put in as part of the construction of the priority give way junction. The future role and function of Yew Tree Drive will alter with a greater number of pedestrian crossings put in, accesses into housing sites, a reduced speed limit down to 30mph, putting rumble strips in etc which will slow things down considerably. “Wheel washing facilities used by developer off the Roe Lee Housing site.” This planning condition will be enforced by the Council through the Main Contractor / Council Highways Department. “Potential bottle-neck at Four Lanes End” The Four Lane Ends junction has been approved for an upgrade in 2018/19 and 2019/20, to be funded by the Local Transport Plan (Capital Maintenance Urban Traffic Control programme). Minor amends to parking and stop lines will accompany the scheme, which is designed to address air quality concerns. Other “Potential small car-park on Knowsley Road for rail commuter traffic” The Council has liaised with Northern Rail and Network Rail over the potential to use this piece of land for additional car parking for Ramsgreave and Wilpshire Station. “Query on Bus priority because of low frequency of current routes” The scheme does not include for bus priority. However, the siting of the “Proper road markings. There currently are a lack of these.” The renewal of road markings and surfacing will be addressed by the project.

Next Steps……. What are the next steps? The Council is currently out to tender for prices to deliver the scheme. The scheme will be submitted to the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership for Full Approval – to be considered at the 22nd January 2019 meeting. The Council will then be able to appoint the Main Contractor and construction works are programmed to follow on in February 2019. Will you be keeping residents informed on next steps and how will you do The Council will ensure that residents are kept informed at every stage of development this? and will prepare a newsletter which will be published at key stages as the project is delivered. Information can currently be found on the Council’s website at http://www.blackburn.gov.uk/Pages/growthdeal.aspx