£40m green transport project gets go-ahead

Better bus links will benefit East Lancashire after a £40m upgrade was given the go ahead by transport minister Norman Baker.

The package of improvements includes new bus stations at Blackburn and Accrington, dedicated bus lanes, parking restrictions to improve traffic flow, increased use of smartcard ticketing, improved facilities for pedestrians and cyclists and improvements in traffic control systems, like traffic lights that prioritise buses.

“The £31.9m we are putting into this project shows that the coalition government recognises that investing in sustainable transport is a central way to drive economic growth. Boosting bus use and facilities for cyclists and pedestrians is a great way to help town centres.”

The announcement grants Full (final) Approval to the Pennine Reach Scheme, promoted by Blackburn with Darwen Borough and Lancashire County Councils, enabling the initial phase of work to begin.