£800,000 revamp begins at notorious Oswaldtwistle junction

11:29am Wednesday 19th November 2008

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By David Watkinson »

WORK has started on a new £800,000 roundabout at a notorious road junction in a bid to improve road safety.

The construction work at the Britannia Crossroads, Oswaldtwistle, has come after a campaign by the parents of 20-year-old Robert Jamieson, who died in a car crash at the site three-and-a-half years ago.

County Coun Dorothy Westell, said: “This roundabout is something that has long been campaigned for and I am delighted that work has now begun.

“Although I am happy that work has started we must not forget why the roundabout is being built. The number of accidents at this location over the years has caused great concern and upset.

“I sincerely hope that the work we are doing results in a dramatic and permanent improvement in safety at this spot.”

The go-ahead comes after the scheme was hit by delays over the compulsory purchase of the land at the roundabout site.

The roadworks will take place around Lottice Lane, Duckworth Hill Lane and Haslingden Road.

Robert, a second-year architecture student at Salford University, died after a collision involving his Peugeot 106 and a bus carrying pupils from Rhyddings High School, Oswaldtwistle, in February 2005.

His parents, Bob and Susan, have campaigned for safety measures to be made to negate the problems of poor visibility at the junction, which is near the Britannia Inn pub.

Speaking about the campaign to build a roundabout at the site Bob said: “As long as we know something is being done about the problem then that helps us, and will hopefully prevent anyone else from losing their life at this terrible junction.”

Engineers are working to have the roundabout completed by May 2009.

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