A TOWN centre has been described as overrun with dangerous drivers as a call-to-action over safety concerns is put to the council.

Hyndburn Borough Council has been contacted by members of the public who are concerned to see vehicles being driven and parked on newly-laid paving stones outside Accrington Town Hall, a redevelopment which is yet to be completed and has cost the council about £1.4million.

The Accrington Blind Society, along with residents from the area, have said that people driving on pavements is creating a greater risk of accidents.

The society said: “There have been lots of changes to Accrington town centre recently which have increased the ‘shared space’ which allows pedestrians and cars to mix.

“This introduces a greater risk of pedestrian vs vehicle collisions - especially for visually-impaired people, disabled, elderly and children.

“All these people have been taught that pavements are safe, and that kerbs are the boundary between ‘safe’ pavements and ‘dangerous’ roads. Shared space blurs these boundaries.”

Josh Allen, who lives in Oswaldtwistle and visits the town centre regularly, said that parking in the town has become a real issue.

He said: “Parking is terrible on the town square with those who keep parking on them ruining the stones.

“Cars could also potentially hit someone stepping out from either side of the market hall or town hall.”

A spokesperson for the council said: “The council has asked Hyndburn Leisure Trust who manage the town hall to ensure visitors do not park their vehicles in the area.

“The contractor has also now installed barriers which restrict vehicle access to the area.

“Once the new square is complete the whole area will be subject to a Traffic Regulation Order."

with Lancashire County Council which will prohibit traffic onto the new pedestrianised area except for deliveries to businesses and the Market Hall and Town Hall”.

The Council spokesperson also confirmed that “there was no damage to the square and the £1.7 million project remains on track with the Square due to be finished by the end of July this year”.