Before the roads connecting Blackburn and Whalley were upgraded, drivers used Whalley Old Road as a route between the two towns, and many still do today. This road offers a scenic journey over the Pennines and through the charming hamlet of York, where walkers can pause to enjoy the views across the Ribble Valley, particularly near the Tin Man sculpture.
However, at the Whalley end of the road, there is what some locals call “the tightest junction in Lancashire.” The steep drop down to Whalley Road near the former Judge Walmsley pub presents a challenge for even the smallest vehicles navigating the sharp bend.
Margaret Aspinall, who has lived in Whalley for 17 years, recalls witnessing numerous tense moments as larger vehicles attempt to use the road. “It’s also incredibly steep, which makes it almost impossible in the snow,” she said. “When turning onto Whalley Old Road from Whalley Road, coming from Whalley, you have to pull right out onto the other side of the road to get the angle right.”
She added, “There’s a bit of a running joke between me and my neighbour, and someone always ends up saying, ‘you can’t park there mate!'”
Whalley Old Road is set to be closed at the Blackburn end from next month, as council officials have confirmed plans to introduce a roundabout at the junction with Brownhill Drive. This change comes as a result of the controversial decision to approve 165 new homes at Sunnybower, with an additional 1,500 planned.
A planning officer’s report outlined the reasoning behind the project: “The rationale and scope of works proposed to enable capacity improvements to the Vistry (Bovis Homes) development south of the proposed junction, and the potential North-East Blackburn housing development to the north, will require a four-arm roundabout.”
The report also mentioned that active travel links will be created between the Vistry Development and the proposed NE Blackburn Housing area, along with a shared-use raised parallel zebra crossing to ensure safe crossings of Whalley Old Road.
Additionally, shared-use cycle and footways will be introduced to enhance non-motorised users’ access to the roundabout. The location where the speed limit changes from 30mph to the national speed limit will also be adjusted to reduce speeds at the new junction.
New surfacing for footways and carriageways will be constructed using asphalt. The proposed scheme will feature standard steel lighting columns and LED lanterns for illumination.
The construction programme is expected to last approximately eight months. The main activities include traffic management, site clearance, fencing, drainage, earthworks, pavement installation, streetlighting, signage, and landscaping. Up to 15 construction workers will be employed at any given time.
The proposed works involve modifications to the junction, designed to improve traffic flow and, therefore, constitute an improvement to the road.
