OS grid reference SD688250 Region North West Sovereign state United Kingdom Dialling code 01254 Post town Darwen | Unitary authority Country England Postcode district BB3 Ceremonial county Lancashire | |
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UK parliament constituencys Blackburn, Rossendale and Darwen | ||
Lower darwen 24d
Lower Darwen is a village in the unitary borough of Blackburn with Darwen, contiguous with the town of Darwen, in the county of Lancashire. It is located between the towns of Blackburn and Darwen. Nearby places include Ewood and Blackamoor. It is situated in the valley of the River Darwen. The former township of Lower Darwen, abolished in the 1890s, extended south to Earnsdale Brook, and included areas now in the town of Darwen.
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Map of Lower Darwen, Darwen, UK
Until the late 18th century Lower Darwen was a farming area. A spinning mill was built in 1774 and although this did not have a major impact on the village at first, by the 1820s the majority of the village was involved in the textile industry.
Lower Darwen is on the Blackburn to Bolton railway line, and the line through the village was opened in 1847. Lower Darwen formerly had a railway station, however this closed in 1958. There was also a motive power depot north of the station, which closed in the 1960s.
Since the 1980s the village has expanded rapidly, with many new houses being built, including a large estate on the site formerly occupied by ROF Blackburn. It is not far from junction four of the M65 motorway.
A new road was built when the M65 was extended and the junction four created. Originally named Eccleshill Road, the road was renamed to Paul Rink Way in 2008. Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council has stated it chose this road for the renaming because it would not affect anyone, as there are no houses or business directly on the road. On this road is a new housing estate along with a Premier Inn and Brewsters restaurant / pub.