Major roadworks to begin for Burnley education and enterprise park

The facelift, to the Princess Way “gateway” into the town, is part of bigger proposals for longer-term investment in the area which includes an education and enterprise park, next to the UCLan and Burnley College campus, and the Curzon Street shopping development – formerly named the Oval.

A provisional date of February 20th has been set for the start of public realm works, which will include better lighting, footpaths and signage. The programme also includes the creation of a new public space opposite the college and specialist lighting of the railway viaduct.

Burnley Council bosses said work will concentrate on the stretch of Princess Way between the Asda roundabout and Active Way, and Canning Street between its junctions with Princess Way and Active Way. It is expected to last around 18 weeks and will cause some disruption to traffic in the area.

Town hall chiefs said local businesses have been informed about the work and added “every effort will be made to keep disruption to trade and traffic to a minimum.”

The work is being funded by contributions from the European Regional Development Fund, Burnley Council, sustainable transport campaign group Sustrans, and Burnley College.

Council leader Coun. Charlie Briggs said: “This work is part of far bigger and more ambitious plans to redevelop the whole area which would see a massive investment of tens of millions of pounds.

“The proposed education and enterprise park will create jobs and an ‘incubator zone’ for young entrepreneurs to grow and flourish. We’re expecting a planning application for the Curzon Street development very soon – this will bring new shops, new jobs and new shoppers to the town.

“Princess Way is one of the major routes into Burnley. The eye-catching college and university campus looks great, now it’s time to improve the area around it.

“The aim of the scheme is to create a modern business environment and welcoming gateway to support and encourage business growth and help spur new investment, confidence and jobs to the area.”