WORK on a £2.9 million project to improve access to Blackburn town centre is due to start next week.

Blackburn with Darwen Council has been successful in its bid to open up streets around King George's Hall to boost business and entertainment in the area, with the bid to the Department for Transport's National Productivity Investment Fund being approved.

The multi-million pound project aims to open up Northgate to through traffic at Sudell Cross to improve access to King George’s Hall and the new Reel Cinema development, as well as give direct access from Barbara Castle Way onto Tontine Street to provide easier access.

Pedestrian facilities between the Town Centre and the Whalley Range area will also be significantly improved, council bosses hope.

The project will remove vehicle congestion and conflicts, improve movement and access to significant new development sites, addressing issues which have been raised in previous consultations on Blackburn Town Centre.

Work is scheduled to begin on Monday, with a predicted completion date of March 2020.

A Blackburn with Darwen Roads spokesman said: "Site establishment began yesterday (Monday), including setting up the site compound and welfare facilities at Ainsworth Street on the land adjacent to the police station, with construction work beginning the following week.

"As with all works of this nature there may be some inconvenience during construction, however the Contractor will keep this to a minimum.

"Regular updates on phasing will be provided as the works progress.

"Alternatively, you can visit https://www.blackburn.gov.uk/Pages/Transport-streets-policy-strategy.aspx, which provides further information about the scheme."