Capita appointed to £4.8m highway scheme

Capita has been appointed to provide highway and civil engineering services on the £4.8m Furthergate highway improvement scheme.

The Furthergate project is to the east of Blackburn town centre and comprises the widening of the existing section of the A678 between Copy Nook and Accrington Road and the creation of a new link road between Furthergate and Burnley Road.

The additional road space will allow dedicated bus lanes to run in both directions along this congested section of Blackburn’s principal route network. The improved facilities will provide bus priority at signals, with improved waiting and information facilities at bus stops. Works include new highway construction, traffic signal controlled junctions, drainage works, landscaping and extensive statutory undertakers diversions.

The scheme is part of the £40m Pennine Reach project. Capita is providing civil engineering services on the scheme which will boost public transport infrastructure between Blackburn with Darwen and Hyndburn in Lancashire.

Blackburn with Darwen Council and Lancashire County Council, the highway authority for Hyndburn, will deliver the Pennine Reach project which will also provide two new bus stations – one in Blackburn and one in Accrington – and improve the bus network by providing faster, more reliable journeys and better information for passengers. It will also combat congestion, improve air quality and deliver sustainable regeneration.

Pennine Reach will also promote economic growth by unlocking development sites and improving access to jobs that are created on them; reducing traffic congestion; reducing carbon emissions; and promoting easier travel so that people can travel more efficiently and at an affordable cost.

Construction of the Furthergate scheme is due to commence in May 2014 with completion in August 2015.