26 March 2010
Transport Minister Sadiq Khan has given initial approval
for ‘Pennine Reach’, the £50m rapid transport scheme across Pennine
Lancashire.
The new bus service is a joint scheme between Blackburn with
Darwen Council, Lancashire County Council, and the highway
authority for neighbouring Hyndburn, and has been designed to
improve public transport between Accrington, Blackburn and
Darwen.
Capita Symonds - Blackburn with Darwen Council’s strategic
partner for highways, transport and property - will provide full
multidisciplinary* services on the improved bus
network. The route covers approximately 34.5km (21
miles) and comprises better buses and bus stops, two new bus
stations in Blackburn and Accrington, dedicated bus lanes in
congested areas, cycle lanes, and new customer car parks.
Specific features include:
- All traffic signal control junctions will have enhanced signal
equipment to provide bus and cycle priority measures at each
junction of the main carriageway
- Use of intelligent integrated systems to link with the
respective authorities Urban Traffic Control and Management
Systems
- Flexibility in the finished scheme to allow for the
infrastructure to meet the future year socio-economic needs of the
area
- Improvements in frequency, journey time and reliability,
supported by comprehensive information and simplified ticketing
arrangements to remove traditional barriers to public transport
use.
Transport Minister Sadiq Khan said: “An efficient and reliable
transport system is the lifeblood of every local community. This is
why we’re investing significant amounts of money in East
Lancashire’s infrastructure. The Pennine Reach scheme is exciting.
With over half a million people living in and around the area this
scheme will make it far easier for people without access to a car
to get to work in Manchester, Preston or elsewhere in the
region."
Councillor Alan Cottam, Executive Member for regeneration and
environment, Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “This is a
significant investment across Pennine Lancashire and would not have
been possible without the collaboration between ourselves and
Lancashire County Council. We have worked hard to ensure that it
remained a regional priority and it was a key part of the Pennine
Lancashire Multi Area Agreement which was signed last year. By
working together, we were able to make a better case for investment
and show our determination to make a real difference to the lives
of local people.”
“Pennine Reach will not only improve public transport across
both boroughs, it will address the issue of the lack of parking
spaces which many businesses have complained about for years and
will support our vision for transport in the town centre and
supports our plans for the cathedral quarter development,” he
adds.
Ian Richardson, Director, Capita Symonds, said: “We have been
working with partners on this initiative for over 10 years and we
are very pleased to have reached this milestone. These are exciting
times for Blackburn, Darwen and Hyndburn and this complete overhaul
of public transport will bring new opportunities to the region that
will strengthen Pennine Lancashire’s position as an area of
investment and prosperity.”
Lancashire County Councillor Keith Young, Cabinet Member for
highways and transport, said: "Pennine Reach will bring major
improvements to the public transport network in the area, reduce
journey times and improve the reliability of travelling by bus. It
will also mean better access to jobs and training. By encouraging
more people to switch to public transport, it will help to reduce
traffic congestion on local roads and should lead to a reduction in
carbon emissions.
He adds: "The project is an excellent example of working in
partnership with other local authorities, and will help to boost
regeneration and economic growth both in Hyndburn and across the
Lancashire Pennine region."
Blackburn with Darwen Council and Capita Symonds, in conjunction
with Lancashire County Council, carried out a wide ranging
consultation exercise into the scheme last summer.