Construction begins on permanent repairs to Lancashire road shut by major landslide

A key Lancashire road closed for more than 18 months following a significant landslide has moved into the construction phase, with engineers beginning work on a permanent retaining wall designed to reopen the route safely.

Lancashire County Council has confirmed that on-site construction has started on the B6236 Haslingden Old Road in Hyndburn, where a major slope failure in January 2025 forced the closure of the road after part of the carriageway and its retaining wall collapsed.

The landslip, triggered by prolonged heavy rainfall, displaced approximately 2,500 tonnes of earth, creating challenging ground conditions that required extensive investigation before permanent repairs could be designed.

Engineers have spent recent months carrying out detailed surveys, developing the final engineering solution and preparing the site, following the appointment of a specialist contractor through a competitive procurement process in March 2026.

The repair scheme centres on the construction of a reinforced earth retaining wall, replacing the failed structure with a more resilient design commonly used on major infrastructure projects to provide long-term stability.

While the road remains closed to traffic, the council has confirmed that pedestrian and cycle access will continue throughout the construction programme.

County Councillor Warren Goldsworthy, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, welcomed the start of construction.

"It's great to see work now under way at Haslingden Old Road, which marks a significant milestone in this complex repair project.

"We recognise that the closure has been frustrating for residents, businesses and road users, and we would like to thank people for their patience.

"This isn't a straightforward repair, but we are focused on delivering a long-term solution that will allow the road to reopen safely.

"We know how important this route is for local communities and our focus remains on reopening it as soon as possible."

The council says the engineering solution has been specifically designed to withstand future ground movement and provide a durable replacement for the collapsed section, helping restore an important transport link for the local community.