Lancashire town faces more weeks of upheaval as major roadworks delayed by problem lurking underground

Shop owners and drivers in Haslingden have already had months of upheaval caused by rolling phases of work, including initial digging and ground tests in early 2024, for new road layouts, pavements and parking around Deardengate and Manchester Road.

The main Deardengate street works north of the Manchester Road junction began in June 2025. These were originally due for completion in September but then rescheduled to finish at the end of January this year. The work has been done in stages with other side streets impacted too.

Now there are reports of a water leak delaying the work being done by contractors, Rossendale Council and Lancashire County Council. There is currently no date when work is now expected to be complete but there is understood to be three weeks worth of work left to complete once the leak is fixed.

Samara Barnes, a Rossendale borough and county councillor, said on social media: “I know this is frustrating for residents and businesses. Believe me, I’m frustrated too.

“Regarding the ongoing delay at the Deardengate and Bank Street junction, a water leak outside the project area is currently preventing the final phase of works . This was reported to United Utilities three to four weeks ago and Rossendale Council has been chasing them daily for a repair date.

“United Utilities has fixed a smaller leak in the site but the main leak remains unresolved, leaving the ground too wet for construction to continue. The council still hasn’t been given a confirmed repair date, which means it cannot yet provide a final completion date. Once the leak is repaired, we expect around three weeks of work left on drainage, road foundations, cobbles and road surfacing.”

One shop on Deardengate is Mannings Bakers, part of a chain of Mannings shops across Lancashire. Kim Manning from the company said: “Workmen in Haslingden came into the shop and told us about the leak. They didn’t know where it was located and said United Utilities will need to find the exact location. To be fair, the workmen have been very helpful in passing-on contact information. But we feel we’re in the dark quite a lot, to be honest.

“Overall, the Haslingden street works have been going on for months and months. It’s impacted on businesses all over the town centre. It’s been a really rough time. And the longer the disruption goes on, the greater the risk for shops in not getting back the levels of customers they used to have.”

Shelley Harris, from Hazelwood Homecare, also on Deardengate, said: “I wasn’t aware of a water leak. But it sometimes feels like there’s no end in sight to all this work. It’s been a difficult time for everyone, especially shops.

“However, one side of Deardengate, in the bottom half, was recently opened-up to traffic. So the area has been a bit busier and more people are about, which is good. But at times, it’s felt a bit like ghost town with road closures and street work.

“Along one part of Deardengate, there’s now one-way traffic although the full work is not finished. But some drivers are going in the wrong direction, meaning cars have to reverse. And some drivers are parking on pavements at lunchtime because of the parking changes or fenced-off areas. But I suppose everything will become clearer when the work is finished and traffic signs are up.”

United Utilities this week said it has attended the site and fixed a leak, and is investigating reports of a further leak.

A Rossendale Council spokesperson said: “The council shares the deep frustration felt by residents and businesses about the continued delays to the works in Haslingden. The current hold‑up is wholly due to an unresolved United Utilities water leak, which is preventing the completion of the final phase of construction.

“This issue is outside of the council’s control. We have been pressing United Utilities daily for a confirmed repair date so that works can recommence without further disruption. Until that repair is carried out, the ground conditions make it impossible for the contractors to proceed safely or effectively.

“We will continue to apply maximum pressure, alongside Lancashire County Council and Sarah Smith MP, to ensure this matter is resolved as quickly as possible.

“In the meantime, Haslingden is very much open for visitors and shoppers, with pavements fully accessible, high‑street access up to the library for vehicles, and the new artwork continuing to take shape.”

Overall, Haslingden is the focus of a phased five year scheme of works around the Big Lamp Project. In 2021, Rossendale Council received over £2.5million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund for Haslingden improvements including restoration of historic shop fronts, pavement upgrades, creating a one-way system on section of Deardengate and pedestrianisation of the higher end around the Big Lamp.