Burnley MP calls for council support for businesses impacted by ‘roadworks chaos’.

Burnley MP Oliver Ryan has called on Lancashire County Council to consider a compensation scheme for businesses impacted by town centre ‘roadworks chaos’.

The Labour backbencher is also calling on borough residents to shop at outlets there to support the firms through the current problems.

Mr Ryan has warned the current scale and management of the works by the county council as highways authority are placing an unsustainable burden on small and independent businesses.

He made his call after several businesses on Manchester Road and Grimshaw/Hargreaves Street that they are seeing a massive fall in footfall, and not getting enough people through the door to succeed.

Mr Ryan said: “Businesses are the backbone of our local economy, and many on Manchester Road, and Colne Road, and in our town centre are seeing their footfall halved overnight.

“This isn’t just a minor inconvenience, this is major disruption.

“Burnley Manchester Road has in recent weeks been subject to roadworks chaos.

“I am continuing to call on Lancashire County Council to urgently review the phasing of the works, consider compensation for impacted businesses, and most importantly to engage in real, practical terms with any and all affected businesses.

“But I also want to tell people to use these businesses or lose them. Please support our local shops, cafes, and services wherever you can.

“Where you choose to spend your money right now can genuinely protect local livelihoods.”

Matt Townsend, director of highways and transport at Lancashire County Council, said: “We recognise the frustration residents and businesses are experiencing as a result of the current roadworks in Burnley.

“These works are part of long‑planned investment to improve safety, accessibility and the town centre environment, but we acknowledge the impact when several schemes are visible at the same time.

“Alongside county council schemes, some works are being carried out by utility and telecoms companies, which have specific legal powers to access the highway.

“Where possible, our highways teams work with contractors and utility providers to coordinate activity, review traffic management and phasing, and mitigate the impact on traffic, businesses and local communities.

“In addition, we do try our utmost to ensure that works are scheduled and carried out in a way that minimises disruption and inconvenience to the local community, including businesses, but there is no entitlement to compensation for loss of business.”

“We have been in contact with local business around Manchester Road, and ask them to raise any concerns direct with us so that we can look into them.”