The money will be used to improve Junction 5 of the M65 and transport links in the area around Haslingden Road – significantly improving employment, housing, health and carbon reduction outcomes for residents and businesses.
It’s part of the Council’s impressive Blackburn Growth Axis – one of its six strategic plans for growth – which has the potential make the area one of the most important economic centres in the North.
Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “This is great news for the borough.
“As a Council, we are carving out a really strong reputation for the borough as a place to invest and do business and this level of funding will support us in delivering our £1bn vision for the future by ensuring we have the right infrastructure in place.
“We will not let Blackburn with Darwen be left behind – we are determined to see it prosper and for that, growth has to be our key priority.”
The successful bid included proposals to improve the Haslingden Road corridor and Junction 5 of the M65 – a strategic location of regional significance – to improve traffic flows, reduce congestion levels and deliver significant carbon reductions outcomes with related health benefits for residents and local communities.
Plans for six new and upgraded walking and cycling routes – over 11 miles of new and active travel networks – will improve local resident and community access to new employment opportunities created in the area.
The Council and private sector will also be investing to establish a comprehensive investment programme valued at around £30m, which will be delivered over the next five years.
The plans are also central to delivering the Council’s ambitious, long-term growth strategy which links to new major opportunities at Samlesbury Enterprise Zone – including the planned relocation of the Government’s new National Cyber Force HQ.
Cllr Riley added: “When we look at our growth performance over the last decade, Blackburn with Darwen is already starting to close the economic gaps against national benchmarks.
“We are out performing our regional comparators in terms of the economic value of what we generate, the jobs we are creating and the new homes we are providing.
“The Levelling-Up Fund and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, alongside the already secured Darwen Town Deal, will bring impressive change, unlocking significant growth opportunities.
“Above all else, it will help us improve lives – and that’s what really matters.”
The Growth and Development Team at Blackburn with Darwen Council also helped secure the full £25m of Government Town Deal funding available for Darwen.
With Council and private investment, it’ll see £100m ploughed in to the town in the next five years with transformational plans for the town centre, business growth and skills.
There’s also £5.9m of UK Shared Prosperity funding – which could be worth a further £20m with co-investment from the Council’s delivery partners.
And, in recent months, there’s been a £2m boost for the borough’s arts, culture and creative industries too with Arts Council England naming Blackburn Museum and Art Gallery, the National Festival of Making, British Textile Biennial and Culturapedia as prestigious National Portfolio Organisations.
