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THE BOROUGH OF BLACKBURN WITH DARWEN (A6077 HASLINGDEN ROAD, BLACKBURN) SIDE ROADS ORDER 2019

THE HIGHWAYS ACT 1980

STATEMENT OF REASONS

1.0 Introduction

1.1 This is the Statement of Reasons of the Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

(“the Council”) for making The Borough of Blackburn with Darwen (A6077 Haslingden

Road, Blackburn) Side Roads Order 2019 (the “SRO”) and referred to as the “Order”.

1.2 The SRO is being made to enable the Council to further progress with its ‘Growth Deal 3

“Pennine Gateways”’ project which will invest £13 million in transport infrastructure across

the borough between 2018 and 2021. The Pennine Gateways project will deliver key

transport infrastructure improvements at three of the main gateways into Blackburn with

Darwen off the M65 motorway at junctions 4, 5 and 6. Investment at these adjoining

gateways will extend the concept of the Hyndburn – Burnley – Pendle Growth Corridor to

the M65 Growth Corridor and will release the potential of a number of adjacent strategic

sites to attract and accelerate new development opportunities. Major transport

improvements will act as the catalyst for new housing and commercial development,

contributing to the delivery of the Council’s adopted Local Plan targets for new housing,

businesses and jobs.

1.3 This scheme is the final part of the Pennine gateways Growth Deal 3 project and will enable

the following works:-

New entrance to Royal Blackburn Hospital at Old Bank Lane / Haslingden Road –

creation of new highway

New access created on the Southern side of Haslingden Road, South West of Nursing

Home

Widening of highway on Haslingden Road between Shadsworth Road and Beehive

roundabout and proceeding towards Lions Dive

1.4 This statement sets out the following detail:

Location Order lands (section 3)

The powers to be used by the Council (section 4)

What the Council seeks to achieve (section 5)

Why the Council is making the Order (section 6)

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The objectives and benefits (section 7)

Proposals for development (section 8)

The planning position (section 9)

Local Planning Policy, NPPF, LTP (sections 10,11,12)

Other regenerative benefits (section 13)

The Government’s position on funding (section 14)

Human Rights (section 15)

Acquisition of land (section 16)

Any obstacles relating to development (section 17)

Consultation and Responses (section 18)

Other organisations and groups (section 19)

Communications Strategy (section 20)

Related Orders (section 21)

Other information (section 22)

2 Background

2.1 The Pennine Gateways project has been named in the list within Appendix A to the 5th July

2016 Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Board report titled “Growth Deal Update” described

as follows:

“Project will deliver key transport infrastructure improvements at 3 main gateways into

Blackburn from the M65 at Junctions 4, 5 and 6 to unlock new housing and employment

growth. The proposal also supports the growth plans of Blackburn Hospital and its intention

to become a university teaching centre. The proposal complements Growth Deal

investment in Darwen and supports the LEP's strategic focus to establish the M65 as East

Lancashire's primary growth corridor. The scheme would also complement and support the

case for Highway England to upgrade M65 between JCTS 2-6.”

2.2 The wider Pennine Gateways project has been approved in principle by the Lancashire

Enterprise Partnership (LEP) for funding, and was given “Programme Entry” in Spring 2017

as part of Central Government’s Growth Deal 3 announcement. The Furthergate and North

Blackburn elements have been Fully Approved by the LEP. For more details visit the

following webpages: https://lancashirelep.co.uk/key-initiatives/transport/

2.3 It was reported that the Government has made available £1.8 billion of Growth Deal 3

funding to the 39 Local Enterprise Partnership's (LEPs) in England with most of the

available funding back loaded to 2020/21. The report presented contained a list of 24

scheme proposals which were categorised into priority 1, 2 and 3 schemes, the total value

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of the schemes funding ask is £155.95M. The same matrix used previously to rank the

Growth Deal 1 and 2 schemes was used for the Growth Deal 3 bids to prioritise them, this

included ranking them on local strategic fit, strategic outcomes and deliverability including

within the required timescales for funding release.

2.4 The Council’s Executive Board of 8th March 2018 approved the progression of the Growth

Deal 3 Pennine Gateways project for delivery from April 2018 to March 2021. The project

consists of three infrastructure packages as follows:-

• Furthergate: Completion of the Burnley Road Link Road from Red Lion Roundabout

to Gorse Street and a new signalised Gorse Street junction. This project package is now

substantially complete and the Link Road named “Carl Fogarty Way” opened to the public

on 26th June 2019.

• North Blackburn: Brownhill Roundabout upgrade, Pleckgate Road / Ramsgreave

Drive junction improvements plus Whalley Old Road / Whitebirk Drive junction capacity

upgrade. This project package commenced on site in March 2019 with works at Brownhill

and Pleckgate now complete and Whalley Old Road at an advanced stage.

• South East Blackburn: Haslingden Road highway improvements including

widening and upgraded roundabouts at major access points (Haslingden Road, Blackburn)

plus a new link road to link Blackamoor Road with Roman Road. The Council is therefore

making two separate side roads orders and this statement deals with the SRO for

Haslingden Road. A separate side roads order is being made for the new Blackamoor Road

link road.

2.5 On 8th August 2019 the Council’s Executive Board approved the making of two side roads

orders for Blackburn South East.

3 Location of the land affected by the SRO

3.1 The land that is affected by the SRO is in the Audley and Queens Park, Blackburn Central

and Blackburn South East wards of the Borough of Blackburn with Darwen and is shown on

the SRO plan. The highway improvement works affect parts of Haslingden Road,

Blackburn and the land extends along a substantial part of Haslingden Road (at the junction

of Shadsworth Road ) in an eastern direction proceeding towards Lions Drive, Blackburn.

3.2 The land affected by the SRO is comprised of land owned by the Council, local businesses

and residents and existing highway land.

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3.3 The SRO contains details of existing highways that adjoin the land and that are to be

improved. Other parts of the highway that will either become redundant when the

improvements are made or will disappear within the line of the new road are included in the

SRO as highways to be stopped up. No private means of access are to be stopped up

within this SRO, and hence no replacement means of access are being made.

4 What powers are being used?

4.1 The powers for making the SRO are contained within the Highways Act 1980 (“the Act”).

The SRO is made under section 14 of the Act. The Council is the ‘highways authority’ for

the purpose of the Act.

4.2 Section 14(1)(a) of the Highways Act 1980 provides for the highway authority to stop up,

divert, improve, raise, lower or otherwise alter a highway that crosses or enters the route of

the road or is or will be otherwise affected by the construction or improvement of the road,

and to construct a new highway for purposes concerned with any such alteration.

5 What the Council seeks to achieve

5.1 The A6077 Haslingden Road forms an important part of the highway network within the

Borough of Blackburn with Darwen, providing an arterial route linking Blackburn Town

Centre with the M65 motorway at Junction 5. The A6077 provides the main gateway to the

Royal Blackburn Hospital and the centralised Accident and Emergency department for the

East Lancashire NHS Trust.

5.2 The Haslingden Road corridor is the largest growth area within Blackburn with Darwen, with

a number of allocated sites for employment and housing. The Growth Deal 3 South East

Blackburn scheme is expected to:-

o Improve congestion on the Haslingden Road corridor between Royal

Blackburn Hospital and M65 Junction 5 by widening it to four lanes with

upgraded roundabouts at major access points on Haslingden Road including

Shadsworth Road and Royal Blackburn Hospital

o Enable further development of employment opportunities; and

o Support future housing growth in the Borough

5.3 One of the key objectives as set out within the Blackburn with Darwen Core Strategy is to

increase growth and new development in inner urban areas. The proposed scheme is

critical to unlocking economic and housing growth opportunities within South East

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Blackburn. This closely aligns with all current national and local Government objectives and

was a key factor in identifying the schemes included in the Council’s submission to the

Local Growth Fund 3 call for potential projects in the Summer of 2016.

5.4 One of the key issues is that the A6077 Haslingden Road experiences severe congestion,

especially during peak hours and has not seen significant investment (other than between

the M65 Junction 5 and Lions Drive Roundabout) despite the significant growth in new

development along its length since the completion of the M65 in 1997. An extensive

analysis of traffic conditions along the A6077 Haslingden Road was reported in an Options

Assessment document prepared by Capita for the Council in September 2016.

5.5 The 2016 assessment indicates that the link sections of the A6077 Haslingden Road

corridor between the Lions Drive “Beehive” Roundabout and Royal Blackburn Hospital are

close to capacity with less than 15% in reserve. The study concludes that capacity

improvements to these route sections will need to be considered if the corridor is to

accommodate anticipated levels of traffic growth.

5.6 The modelling of existing junction layouts using recent traffic count data has indicated that

the following junctions are currently operating at, or above their theoretical capacities:

- A6077 Haslingden Road / Lions Drive

- Roman Road / Blackamoor Road; and

- A6077 Haslingden Road / Old Bank Lane

5.7 The assessment notes that the junctions already experience congestion during the peak

periods with high levels of delay and queues longer than those indicated by the modelling

results. These issues are likely to be amplified by blocking back from those junctions which

are over capacity or as a result of congestion building up from earlier time periods.

5.8 If the current highway capacity is maintained as overall travel demand increases with

natural background growth there will likely be an increase in road congestion and delay.

Alternatively, some of the new developments may not take place as investors look

elsewhere. Local businesses which are already affected by increased journey times might

be persuaded to relocate, and patients visiting Royal Blackburn Hospital could face

significant queues trying to access the facility. Local air quality will continue to worsen,

whilst residents on nearby roads will be adversely affected due to traffic taking

inappropriate alternative routes.

5.9 The scheme will directly support the development of 350 housing units, 3550 jobs and

38,535 square metres of commercial floorspace on the Haslingden Road corridor.

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5.10 The improved highway network will be able to cope with the expected increase in traffic and

trip generation following the development of all Local Plan housing and employment site

allocations across Blackburn with Darwen.

5.11 Connectivity between the M65 and Blackburn Town Centre will be significantly enhanced.

5.12 The Council now wishes to progress with delivery of the Growth Deal 3 South East

Blackburn project package and will:

Widen the A6077 Haslingden Road between Shadsworth Road and Lions Drive

(Beehive Roundabout)

Upgrade roundabouts at major access points along Haslingden Road including

Shadsworth Road and outside the JJB Soccerdome

Build a new roundabout at Haslingden Road / Old Bank Lane which will improve the

current arrangements for general traffic and pedestrians, and act as a brand new

additional entrance to the Hospital.

5.13 There are significant benefits for the residents and businesses of Haslingden Road, in

terms of congestion, road safety and air quality. The Council has conducted a number of

information and discussion meetings in the early part of in order to inform the general public

and businesses.

5.14 Better journeys will also be achieved in terms of reliability, congestion, and time from M65

Junction 5 to Blackburn via the improved and widened main Haslingden Road.

6 Why is the Council making the Orders?

6.1 The main reason for making the SRO is to ensure that the Council can progress the Growth

Deal 3 “Pennine Gateways” project within the relevant timeframe. Works are scheduled to

commence in March 2020 in order to fulfil delivery timescales of Central Government’s

Local Growth Fund 3, which requires that the scheme be delivered by March 2021.

6.2 The Council is satisfied that:

a) It is necessary in relation to the classified roads to stop up, divert, improve, raise,

lower or otherwise alter a highway that crosses or enters the classified roads or will

be affected by the construction or improvement of the classified roads, and to

construct a new road

b) the proposed SRO will contribute to the achievement of the promotion or

improvement of the economic, social or environmental wellbeing of the area;

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c) there are sufficient funds available to implement the SRO;

d) the SRO complies with the National Planning Policy Framework, Adopted Local

Plan Policies, the Council’s Core Strategy, the Local Transport Plan 3, and that the

SRO will help promote sustainable transport, and that planning permission for the

schemes have been approved (at the time of making the SRO);

e) there is a compelling case in the public interest as the interference with Human

Rights involved is proportionate in the interests of bringing about the improvements

that would follow from the carrying out of the highway works;

f) there is a reasonable prospect of implementation of the SRO should it be

confirmed

6.3 There are therefore no known impediments to the implementation of the scheme and the

Council considers it appropriate to make the SRO.

7 The Objectives and Benefits

7.1 As mentioned previously the main objectives of the works under the SRO are to reduce

congestion and improve journey time reliability on Haslingden Road and from the M65

Junction 5 to / from Blackburn Town Centre. The scheme aims to provide more capacity in

junctions to allow better traffic flow which aims to reduce journey times and improve

journeys for all highways users;

7.2 Provide access and opening up adjacent development sites for future employment

opportunities;

7.3 Improve accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists, and;

7.4 Improve traffic conditions on Haslingden Road with associated improvements for road

safety, congestion and air quality.

8 Proposals for the new highway development/improvement works

Design Standards

8.1 The new highway has been designed to Department of Transport standards. The

improvements to existing highways have been designed within the scope of Departmental

Standard TD 9/93 using the appropriate design speeds. In addition, structures have been

designed to the appropriate standards and advice notes.

General Layout

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8.2 The SRO will facilitate the following changes (please refer to the SRO plan):

a) New A6077

This is the new section of A6077 creating a new roundabout at Haslingden Road

and Old Bank Lane, which will ease traffic flows.

b) Highways to be Stopped Up

Southern side of Haslingden Road (near Old Bank Lane)

c) Highways to be improved

Along parts of the length of Haslingden Road

d) Closures of private means of Access

None

e) New means of Access that is reasonably convenient

Southern side of Haslingden Road (near Old Bank Lane)

Southern side of Haslingden Road (at the roundabout adjacent to Shadswortth

Road)

Statutory Undertakers

8.3 Where Statutory Undertakers’ apparatus is affected by the scheme, arrangements will be

made to protect or divert the apparatus under the provisions of the New Roads and Street

Works Act 1991.

Pedestrian and Cyclist Facilities

8.4 Cycling infrastructure, including the use of advanced stop lines, will be implemented as part

of the scheme in accordance with Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s cycling

standards. Coloured surfacing will also be used in key areas to inform motorists of the

presence of cyclists. Alternative cycling facilities and routes have been provided by recent

infrastructure projects such as the Weavers Wheel, and will continue to be developed with

Royal Blackburn Hospital through the hospital site.

8.5 To encourage pedestrian use, footways will be provided on the entire length on both sides

of the improved Haslingden Road. The proposed new Royal Blackburn Hospital roundabout

and access significantly improves pedestrian movements between Old Bank Lane and

Royal Blackburn Hospital by the introduction of pedestrian refuges.

8.6 To ensure a high level of disabled access and other easy access to the site, a number of

design features will be incorporated. Dropped kerbs will be included in the design of all of

the footways and controlled crossing points will be highlighted by tactile paving.

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Landscaping 8.7 Landscaping will be provided, as detailed within the detailed planning application (#10/19/0887)

and will be in keeping with landscaping delivered elsewhere in the Borough through major

transport schemes. Associated landscaping proposals are integral to the scheme and will both

tidy up and improve the appearance of the area and will further upgrade the area as a Major

Gateway into the Borough of Blackburn with Darwen.

Street Lighting

8.8 The street lighting design will be carried out to current standards. Lighting equipment will

incorporate latest LED technology to significantly reduce the energy demand for each unit.

Traffic Signals

8.9 There are no new traffic signal controlled junctions planned within the Haslingden Road

widening works.

Appearance

8.10 The surface course of the finished road carriageway and the footways will be completed in

a black bituminous material.

8.11 The edge of the carriageway will be completed in pre cast concrete kerbing units. There will

also be a need to complete certain lengths of kerbing in a combined kerb and drainage unit.

Back of footways will be completed in pre cast concrete edging units.

8.12 Tactile paving at pedestrian crossing facilities will be laid with coloured pre cast concrete

paving materials.

9 What is the current planning position?

9.1 Planning permission has been submitted on 16th September 2019 and is due to be

determined at the December 2019 Planning & Highways Committee (Reference number

10/19/0887) The application relates to highways improvements including road widening, a

new roundabout at junction of Old Bank Lane, new point of access into the housing

allocation site to South of Haslingden Road and demolition of associated buildings. The

proposed scheme accords with national, regional and local policies. The Development Plan

and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) aim to promote increased levels of

development whilst protecting and enhancing the environment.

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LOCAL PLANNING POLICY

10 Local Plan Part 2 (Adopted December 2015)

10.1 The Council recognises the need for future investment in transport infrastructure to

accommodate pressure from new development, and to unlock areas for development to

take place. Where this takes the form of new or improved road links, there is a need to

ensure that new development does not affect the proposed route of the road.

10.2 The scheme is aligned with new development plots identified (as shown on the Adopted

Policies Map), and aims to unlock the economic potential of the sites and encourage the

provision of new quality buildings and spaces.

10.3 There are a number of sites adjacent to the new highway improvements that have been

identified for development within the Council’s Adopted Local Plan.

Employment sites:

Site 13/6 Evolution Park, Shadsworth Road, Blackburn

Site 13/7 Plot C, Shadsworth Business Park, Blackburn

Site 13/8 Waterside Employment Site, Haslingden Road

Site 13/9 Premier Way, Walker Park, Blackburn

Housing sites:

Site 16/7 Haslingden Road Development Site (SE Blackburn)

Site 16/8 Blackamoor Road Development Site (SE Blackburn)

10.4 Details on the Local Plan can be accessed via the following weblink:

https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/planning/planningpolicies-strategies-and-guides/local-

plan-part2

Core Strategy

Blackburn with Darwen Core Strategy (2011)

10.5 The Council’s Core Strategy sets out the priorities for the future planning and development

of the Borough for the next 15 to 20 years: how much and what types of development there

should be, where it should be focused, when it is likely to take place, and how it will be

delivered.

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10.6 The Core Strategy forms part of the statutory Local Development Plan. The Core Strategy

presents 11 Strategic Objectives. While the proposed Haslingden Road widening project

package will indirectly influence a number of these, the effects will be most pronounced

when considering the following objectives:

Improve the quality of the local environment and the Borough’s physical setting

Increase levels of demand both for existing housing stock and for new development

in inner urban area

10.7 The Core Strategy highlights that commuter traffic into and through Blackburn town centre

has historically presented a congestion problem for the Borough, particularly at major

junctions and along key corridors. It is envisaged that the proposed infrastructure

improvements would improve journey times, between Blackburn and Junction 5 of the M65

motorway.

10.8 Policy CS2 Typology of Employment Land states that the emphasis will be given to

providing the employment development in urban hub and gateway sites, with broad

locations included within the Haslingden Road and South East Blackburn area of

Blackburn. The Haslingden Road widening improvements would therefore directly

contribute to achievement of Policy CS2 by improving connections for the future gateway

sites.

10.9 Policy CS22 Accessibility Strategy states that new development should be located to

minimise the need for travel, and in that regard should be focused on either the borough’s

transport hubs or along the accessibility corridors, such as the A6077 Haslingden

Road. The dependent developments enabled through the implementation of the Haslingden

Road widening scheme will therefore be well located to take advantage of this accessibility

corridor and the potential for sustainable travel it offers.

11 National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF)

11.1 The NPPF (updated in February 2019) emphasises promoting sustainable transport in

section 9 (paras 102 to 111) of the policy. Some of the relevant paragraphs that apply to

this SRO are set out here.

11.2 Achieving sustainable development – Planning provides an economic role in ensuring that

the provision of appropriate infrastructure “will assist in building a strong, responsive and

competitive economy by ensuring that sufficient land of the right types is available in the

right places and by identifying and coordinating the provision of infrastructure” (para 8 of

the NPPF).

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11.3 The NPPF at 108 provides that in assessing sites for development local authorities should

ensure that there are:

a) appropriate opportunities to promote sustainable transport modes can be – or

have been – taken up, given the type of development and its location;

b) safe and suitable access to the site can be achieved for all users; and

c) any significant impacts from the development on the transport network (in terms

of capacity and congestion), or on highway safety, can be cost effectively

mitigated to an acceptable degree.

11.4 Para. 110 of the NPPF provides that applications for development should:

a) give priority first to pedestrian and cycle movements, both within the scheme

and with neighbouring areas; and second – so far as possible – to facilitating

access to high quality public transport, with layouts that maximise the catchment

area for bus or other public transport services, and appropriate facilities that

encourage public transport use;

b) address the needs of people with disabilities and reduced mobility in relation to

all modes of transport;

c) create places that are safe, secure and attractive – which minimise the scope

for conflicts between pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles, avoid unnecessary

street clutter, and respond to local character and design standards;

d) allow for the efficient delivery of goods, and access by service and emergency

vehicles; and

e) be designed to enable charging of plug-in and other ultra-low emission vehicles

in safe, accessible and convenient locations.

11.5 The NPPF at paragraph 104 sets out that planning policies should:

a) support an appropriate mix of uses across an area, and within larger scale sites,

to minimise the number and length of journeys needed for employment,

shopping, leisure, education and other activities;

b) be prepared with the active involvement of local highways authorities, other

transport infrastructure providers and operators and neighbouring councils, so

that strategies and investments for supporting sustainable transport and

development patterns are aligned;

c) identify and protect, where there is robust evidence, sites and routes which

could be critical in developing infrastructure to widen transport choice and

realise opportunities for large scale development;

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d) provide for high quality walking and cycling networks and supporting facilities

such as cycle parking (drawing on Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure

Plans);

e) provide for any large scale transport facilities that need to be located in the

area, and the infrastructure and wider development required to support their

operation, expansion and contribution to the wider economy. In doing so they

should take into account whether such development is likely to be a nationally

significant infrastructure project and any relevant national policy statements;

and

f) recognise the importance of maintaining a national network of general aviation

airfields, and their need to adapt and change over time – taking into account

their economic value in serving business, leisure, training and emergency

service needs, and the Government’s General Aviation Strategy

12.0 Local Transport Plan

Blackburn with Darwen Local Transport Plan 3 (2011-2021)

12.1 Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council’s Third Local Transport Plan (“LTP3”) is a long

term strategic document covering the period 2011-2021, and is the key mechanism for

articulating and delivering transport policy at a local level. The plan highlights a number of

key issues within the borough to be addressed over the lifespan of the plan, including:

The borough’s young population and its relationship to the growth of car use and road

accidents;

Peak time congestion and traffic levels;

The impact on and the effects of the changing climate;

Chronic health issues;

Poor localised air quality and intrusive noise;

Car dependence;

The effects of long standing deprivation;

The ongoing requirement to generate jobs, improve wage and skill levels; and

The need to create sustainable communities through economic restructuring and

regeneration.

a) The proposed Haslingden Road widening will meet four goals described within the

LTP3, to:

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Support the Economy;

Tackle Climate Change;

Promote Equality of Opportunity; and

Promote quality of life, health and the natural environment.

b) In ‘supporting the economy’, the scheme will achieve all the associated objectives:

reducing congestion and delay; improving the condition and attractiveness of the

transport infrastructure; ensuring good accessibility for the new developments; working

with partners to develop economic growth and bring forward new development, and

increasing accessibility to employment.

c) The LTP3 priority is to “Improve access to areas of regeneration and economic

growth”. Part of achieving this comes through the “greater coordination of transport

and land use planning”, ensuring that the transport infrastructure is capable of fully

supporting the expected growth in Blackburn with Darwen both in the current year and

the future.

d) The LTP3 Priority is to: “Reduce carbon emissions; reduced delay and fuel

consumption should improve emissions from vehicles, which should result in a

corresponding improvement in air quality. Improved air quality brings better health; an

improved environment and encourages physical activity by creating more walkable,

enjoyable public space.”

e) The project would improve journey times between Blackburn and a major transport

gateway Junction 5 of the M65, whilst opening land for new employment, leisure,

residential or mix-use development along the route of the new link road. In doing so,

the scheme is aligned with the LTP3 Priority to ‘Improve access to education and

employment’.

f) Through this analysis of key documents and policy, it is clear that there is a strong

evidence base for the implementation of the Haslingden Road widening project

package ; the proposed scheme is aligned with all the relevant local, regional and

national policy, and will further the strategic aims for the Borough, County and Country.

13 Other Regenerative benefits

13.1 The scheme will directly support the development of 350 housing units, 3550 jobs and

38,535 square metres of commercial floorspace on the Haslingden Road corridor.

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14 Government position on funding

14.1 The Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, at its 31st January 2017 Board meeting, gave an

update on the Government’s Growth Deal funding bid, at £69.8 million being one of the

largest in the country. The Pennine Gateways project was named within the list within

Appendix A to the report, and as such the Council can demonstrate that the funding to

progress this scheme is in place, is available and has been confirmed.

14.2 A further financial breakdown was included within the Council’s 8th August 2019 Executive

Board report, extracted as follows:

2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 Total

Local Transport Plan £0.5m £1.01m £1m £2.51m

Lancashire Enterprise Partnership

£8.89m £8.89m

Total £0.5m £9.9m £1m £11.4m

15 Human Rights

15.1 Before deciding to make the SRO, the Council carefully considered the Human Rights Act

1998 and in particular Article 1 of the First Protocol.

15.2 Article 1 of the First Protocol provides that “ Every natural or legal person is entitled to the

peaceful enjoyment of his possessions. No one shall be deprived of his possessions except

in the public interest and subject to the conditions provided for by law and by the general

principles of international law.

It should be noted that the Council is in the process of acquiring all property interests,

commercial or residential, for the road scheme and therefore no person will be deprived of

his/her property.

15.3 The Council decided that there is a compelling case in the public interest for making the

SRO because the scheme provides numerous regenerative benefits as set out at section 4

of this Statement. The scheme proposes to address the Council’s wider planning and

transport requirements and makes a significant contribution to improving access across the

Borough.

15.4 The Council is aware that there will be some interference with rights, but is satisfied that

this is necessary to achieve the objectives and is also within proportion, especially as the

requirements under the Act are satisfied and there is a compelling case in favour of the

proposal for the benefit of the Borough as a whole.

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16 Acquisition of land

16.1 As regards the land directly affected by the SRO, it is not all owned by the Council at the

time of writing this Statement, however the Council is seeking to acquire the parcels of land

required by mutual agreement or by agreeing heads of terms to purchase with respective

landowners. A compulsory purchase order is therefore not considered necessary for the

works to be carried out under the SRO.

17 What obstacles are there to the development?

17.1 The Council is satisfied that there are no known obstacles to development because of the

following:

17.2 Full planning application has been submitted for the delivery of the scheme (Planning

application reference 10/19/0887) which is scheduled to be determined at the Council’s

Planning and Highways Committee in December 2019

17.3 Full funding is available to carry out the works under the SRO, which effectively has

“Programme Entry” from the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership.

18 Consultation and responses

18.1 The Council’s website has hosted a dedicated information portal for the project at:

https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/transport-and-travel/transport-and-streets-policies-and-

strategies/transport-infrastructure-growth

18.2 The LEP has published information on the Growth Deal 3 project via:

https://lancashirelep.co.uk/key-initiatives/transport/

18.3 Two exhibition events have taken place in relation to the South East Blackburn project

package at the following times and locations:

Venue: Innovation Centre, Evolution Park, Haslingden Road, BB1 2FD on Tuesday 29th

January 2019 4pm to 7pm

Venue: St James’ Church Hall, Stopes Brow, Lower Darwen, Bb3 0QP on Thursday 7th

February 2019 4pm to 7pm

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18.4 These events were drop-ins and were designed for residents and businesses to air views

on the project, provide comments, and to query points of detail on the proposed plans. The

events were well attended with approximately 300 people were present across the two

evenings.

18.5 The Council’s response to comments made by the general public at the two events have

been published via the following “you said, we did” style document at:

https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/sites/default/files/media/pdfs/TIGD-GD3-South-East-

Blackburn-public-consultation-responses-published.pdf

18.6 Further statutory consultations will follow on in relation to the applications for planning

permission.

19. Other Organisations and Groups

Letters of support have been received from Countryside Properties Limited, Chubb

Systems, The East Lancashire NHS Trust, Places for People and the Together Housing

Association Limted, all of which express strong support for the scheme. Further support for

the scheme is expected from the East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce and Haslingden

Road businesses. Local businesses recognise the importance of creating an environment

for business to grow leading to improved prospects for the borough and its residents.

20 Communications Strategy

A communications strategy has been prepared by the Council, which is targeted towards

general public, residents and businesses. The communications strategy states that the

internal and external stakeholders will be regularly updated through a quarterly online

newsletter which would provide updates on project delivery, disruption and timescales for

completion. An e-newsletter will also be prepared for circulation to local residents to

explain the main issues raised, the scope for these to be addressed and set out new stages

for delivery of the project. A notification letter would be dropped to adjacent properties of

works commencing. Ongoing information will be provided to MPs and Local Councillors.

All interested parties will be able to access the information on the project via the Council’s

website.

21 Related Orders

21.1 There are no related orders. In order to give effect to the proposal, it may, however, be

necessary for the Council to make Traffic Regulation Orders and these will be made

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subsequent to the SRO confirmation, if required. There may also be a need for temporary

Traffic Regulation Orders to re-route traffic whilst works are being carried out, and these will

be made subsequent to the SRO confirmation.

21.2 As referred to in the statement, a separate unrelated side roads order is made relating to

the new link road at Blackamoor Road, Blackburn

22 Other Information

22.1 If a public inquiry is to be held in relation to the SRO, this statement is not intended to be

the Council's Statement of Case for the purposes of any of the Rules relating to inquiries.

22.2 The documentation in the attached list (which gives more detail) is available for inspection

at Blackburn Town Hall, King William Street, Blackburn during normal office hours. Those

documents may be added to or revised in due course if there is a public inquiry. A copy of

this Statement is available for inspection on the Council’s website and information portal at

https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/transport-and-travel/transport-and-streets-policies-and-

strategies/transport-infrastructure-growth

22.3 Persons requiring further information regarding the SRO should contact the following

officer, who will try to help you:

Mr. Mike Cliffe (Strategic Transport Manager) – 01254 585310

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DOCUMENT LIST

1. Side Roads Order

2. Side Roads Order Map

3. Landscaping plans/General Arrangement Drawings

4. Report to Executive Board 8th August 2018

5. Report to Executive Board 8th August 2019