MAJOR works starting this week to improve one of Blackburn’s most complex road systems will be well worth any disruption, borough transport boss Maureen Bateson has promised.

The Rovers supporter and ward councillor pledged that problems the year-long £4 million, seven phase remodelling of the Ewood Gyratory System cause motorists, residents and fans going to Ewood Park would be kept to a minimum.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The first stage, knocking down the former Albion Mill, is under way and the site compound is in place.

Work will soon start on a new link road over the demolition site with a new roundabout at the Livesey Branch toad/Aqueduct Road junction to take traffic from the A666 Bolton Road.

Rovers matchday parking will be maintained throughout the 12 months to the North-West of and behind the Albion Works, and on an extended Aqueduct Road car park with the current middle barrier removed.

Blackburn Rovers St Bartholomew’s car park will be extended and resurfaced.

Future phases of the scheme, part of the £40 million Pennine Reach project to cut bus journey times between Hyndburn, Blackburn and Darwen, will bring:

  • A new access to the nearby travellers’ site
  • Enhanced traffic signals to provide bus priority at the Bolton Road / Aqueduct Street junction
  • Improvements to cycling facilities through junctions
  • High quality bus shelters and bus stops on Bolton Road
  • New traffic signals at Catterall Street’s junction with Livesey Branch Road and Albion Street n Landscaping and the replanting of trees and shrubs on Aqueduct Road.

The new system will make Bolton Road for buses only but the link road is designed to speed motorists journeys as well as cut public transport journey times.

Coun Bateson said: “There will be disruption but we will keep it to a minimum for residents, motorists and football fans.

“I firmly believe the final result will be well worth it.”

Blackburn MP Jack Straw said: “It’s a difficult road system in need of improvement.”