Buses confusion as roadworks cut to two days
●» Burnley Road East on Tuesday this week A BUS company has blamed ‘conflicting information’ from roads bosses after services were cancelled before the start of resurfacing works.
A traffic regulation order from Lancashire County Council advised that Burnley Road East in Waterfoot would be closed to traffic between the Bacup Road and New Road junctions for four weeks from May 31 to June 24.
Rosso Bus advised its passengers that the 401, 483 and 743 services would be affected from Tuesday this week, with the 483 bus “unable to serve Waterfoot, Whitewell Bottom, Lumb and Water”.
Yellow road closure warning signs were placed along the road at the start of this week in anticipation of the works, however, confusion reigned when the road remained open to traffic and pedestrians.
The county council confirmed it had changed its plans and said they will only close the road on TWO days instead of the full four weeks.
Marcus Leigh, Lancashire County Council highways manager, explained: “We’ve revised our plans for the type of treatment to be carried out on Burnley Road East, which will mean less disruption to traffic.
“We’re planning to carry out work to patch defects in the surface on Friday, June 3 and again on Friday, June 10, when a road closure and diversion will be in place.
“We’ll then return for another day’s work to surface dress the road which will bond the top layer together and prevent the water getting in which eventually causes potholes – this hasn’t been programmed yet, and we don’t think will need a full road closure, but will be done in the following weeks.
“We are dropping letters to nearby residents and businesses to let them know of our revised plans, and have been in touch with the bus company.”
Rosso Bus was unavailable for comment.
However, in an updated statement on its website, Rosso said: “Lancashire County Council have advised us that Burnley Road East will be closed to all traffic on a number of days in the next few weeks. Unfortunately we have received conflicting information about exactly which dates the road will be closed.”
Previously, Rosso said the 401 would mostly operate between Rawtenstall and Newchurch only and during the road closure Edgeside and Waterfoot would not be served.
Commuters were advised to use the 464 and 482 services as an alternative between Waterfoot and Rawtenstall.
Rosso said due to the road closure and there being ‘no suitable diversion to take’ the 483 bus would be unable to serve Waterfoot, Whitewell Bottom, Lumb and Water.