Frustration among drivers and business owners over Burnley and Padiham roadworks
Drivers and business owners have expressed their frustration over the impact of roadworks across Burnley and Padiham.
Motorists face a one‑way system running inbound along Manchester Road towards Burnley town centre as Lancashire County Council carries out changes between Nelson Square and Red Lion Street.
Businesses have raised concerns about their property being damaged, having to move temporarily, seeing a decline in footfall, and being unable to allow lorries to access their sites since the work began.
The Burnley, Padiham, and Brierfield MP objected to the county council’s plans in 2024.
Oliver Ryan MP said: “I’ve made it clear time and time again that these plans risked chaos. What we are now witnessing is worse than I could have imagined because they’re happening in synchronicity with even more works [across the borough].
“This isn’t controlled improvement. It’s unbridled chaos.”
Traffic restrictions over the past few weeks have also included Padiham Road in Burnley, between its junctions with Burnley Barracks Interchange and Ightenhill Park Lane, as well as in Barden Lane near the Lower Manor Lane junction.
Numerous residents have taken to social media to say that a journey that normally takes 10 minutes is now taking over an hour.
"The roadworks across Burnley have tipped from a bit of a pain to utterly unmanageable,” said MP Ryan.
"Right now, trying to get from one side of Burnley to the other is like attempting to navigate the world’s most poorly designed obstacle course whilst blindfolded. It costs you time, money, fuel, and in most cases, your sanity.
“But somehow, we’ve still got roads so full of potholes that cars are being damaged on a near-daily basis. It’s a disgrace.”
The MP is calling on Lancashire County Council to urgently review the phasing of the works, engage with affected businesses, and introduce practical measures to reduce damage.
He added that he has requested an urgent meeting with the county council’s Director of Highways and the Levelling-up Fund Delivery Manager, and has been liaising with the site manager running the Manchester Road scheme.
“From Manchester Road, to Rossendale Road, to Accrington Road, to Centenary Way, to Barden Lane, there is no escape. It’s relentless,” he said.
“I say enough is enough.”
Why and how is Manchester Road being revamped?
The work is part of the previous Conservative Government’s £55m. Levelling Up East Lancashire programme. It aims to enhance connectivity and boost the area’s economy, and includes:
- Widening and resurfacing pavements;
- Upgrading pedestrian crossing points;
- Adding new planting and seating to public spaces;
- A new diagonal pedestrian crossing at the Grimshaw Street junction;
- Introducing tactile paving and better‑designed kerb lines.
Coun. Brian Moore, cabinet member for Economic Development and Growth, said: “Manchester Road is a key gateway into Burnley, and these upgrades will create a safer, more welcoming environment for everyone who lives, works, or visits here.
"The temporary one‑way system is essential to allow our teams to deliver this work safely and efficiently, and we appreciate the patience shown by residents, businesses, and commuters during this period of change.
"Once complete, Manchester Road will be a more attractive, accessible and vibrant route that supports local shops, encourages active travel and helps strengthen the town centre.”