£1MILLION is being spent on cutting congestion for drivers leaving the M65 in Colne.

The scheme will see some junctions widened, lane priorities changed, signs on the way to junctions improved and traffic signals upgraded from junction 14 of the M65, the end of the motorway, to the Langroyd Road junction with North Valley Road.

Lancashire County Council hope that the work will be completed over the next six months.

Cabinet member for highways Keith Iddon said: “This is one of Lancashire’s most congested routes.

“Our main priority is to improve safety by reducing queues on the M65, however this scheme will also make a difference to journey times in general by increasing the capacity and efficiency of the junctions along Vivary Way and North Valley Road.”

These roads are particularly busy due to the access they provide to Trans-Pennine routes as well as business parks and residential areas.

Councillors and traders will hope that improved access to these areas could also provide a much-needed boost to the local economy,

Cllr Iddon said: “A wider study into this transport corridor is being carried out by Transport for the North as part of the work to look at improving east to west connections across the region, however it makes good sense to do whatever we reasonably can in the meantime to improve people’s journeys along this important route by upgrading our existing infrastructure.

“We’re aware this is a very busy route and have planned how this project will be carried out to minimise disruption, with any work which can only be done with lane closures in place due to take place overnight.

“We’re grateful for people’s patience while we make these vital improvements which I’m sure will make a real difference.”

The first phase started on Monday and will take six weeks with the next three phases taking place over the next six months.