A MAJOR road scheme to turn part of the A59 through the Ribble Valley into a dual carriageway gets under way this month.

The first stages of the £1.5m operation, involving a one-mile section just south of Clitheroe, begin next week although the major work will not start until the new year.

The scheme, announced by the Highways Agency, will include a new roundabout to allow access to the former Barrow Printworks development site.

Developers of the printworks site have put up most of the cash for the road project. One lane of traffic will operate in each direction between the A671 roundabouts at Clitheroe south and Bramley Meade during the work in an effort to minimise disruption.

Highways Agency project manager David Bogle said: "The existing road was built in the 1960s with future dualling in mind and the new carriageway will provide a valuable improvement to this section of the A59.

"We have been able to bring this scheme forward in our construction programme because of a contribution of £1.25m from the developers of the printworks site, Pilot Properties.

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