£4.5 million upgrade for Rising Bridge roundabout
Cyclists, pedestrians and drivers are set to benefit when work starts on a £4.5 million upgrade of Rising Bridge roundabout next month.
Highways England is providing new traffic lights, pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes, linking villages, schools and businesses on either side of the busy A56. The roundabout – which links the A56 to the A680 Blackburn Road – will also be resurfaced and new lights will be installed.
The scheme will feature ‘intelligent’ traffic lights, which will use sensors in the road to monitor traffic approaching from each direction and adjust the lights accordingly. The lights will allow pedestrians and cyclists to cross when it is safest to do so, and will remain on green for longer at the busiest junctions.
Work to transform the roundabout will begin in February and is due to be completed in May. More details are available on the scheme web page.
Highways England project manager John Lyssejko said:
We’re improving some of England’s busiest A roads so that they support local communities as well as the drivers passing through them, and I’m pleased that the scheme at Rising Bridge roundabout will serve villages, schools and businesses in the area.
We’ve had an enthusiastic reaction from local residents’ groups, businesses and head teachers to our plan, and we’ll do all we can to minimise disruption while work is taking place.
When the scheme is complete, drivers and residents will be able to benefit from new traffic lights, pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes, as well as brighter and smoother journeys through the roundabout.
Ann Taylor, Secretary of the Friends of Acre Village, said:
Highways England have taken our problems on board and engaged in a really positive dialogue with us about what could realistically be done to improve pedestrian safety in this part of the village.
Earlier this month, Highways England began work on a series of safety improvements along a 2.5 mile stretch of the A56 near Haslingden, between the 2 roundabouts which link the A56 to the A680 – including Rising Bridge roundabout.
New steel safety barriers are being installed, and a pedestrian crossing which links Rising Bridge Road to the Hall Park housing estate is being upgraded. A new island is being created in the centre of the A56 to make it easier for residents to safely cross from one side to the other.
General enquiries
Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.
Media enquiries
Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.