Millions Poured Into Blackburn’s Roads – Is Your Street on the List?

Blackburn with Darwen is set to see almost £12 million invested into roads, footpaths, and transport infrastructure, thanks to a major boost in government funding.

The council has confirmed it’s received nearly three times the funding it got last year, rising from £3.8 million in 2024-25 to a massive £11.9 million for the new financial year – marking a real turning point for local travel.

The funding will come from three key pots:

• The Local Transport Fund, designed to improve local journeys and connectivity between towns;
• Highways Maintenance Block, which covers everything from potholes to lighting and bridges;
• Integrated Transport Block, used for long-term upgrades to roads and footpaths.

And it’s not just about drivers. More than 65 roads are set to be resurfaced or maintained, with over £1 million earmarked for upgrading footpaths – part of a wider push to make walking, cycling and ‘wheeling’ more attractive.

Plus, £630,000 has been set aside to improve street lighting and illuminated bollards across the borough – making streets safer and smarter.

Councillor Quesir Mahmood, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Growth and Development, said the extra government cash showed confidence in the borough’s potential.

“With the additional funding provided, we can make significant improvements to our highway infrastructure, not only benefitting those who need to travel by car, but also those who can make journeys by cycling, walking, or wheeling.”

He added that while roadworks will bring “some short-term pain”, the long-term benefits will be worth it.

What’s next?
The work is expected to kick off this summer, taking advantage of the school holidays and (hopefully) better weather. Full schedules and road closure details will follow, but residents are already asking: “Is my road getting done?”

The funding boost comes alongside new housing developments and wider regeneration plans, suggesting 2025 could be a turning point for how we move around Blackburn, Darwen and surrounding villages.