COUNCIL chiefs have blamed rain and a utilities company for a further delay in the opening of Accrington's new shopping development.

The £8million development was originally scheduled for completion in May, but that date was put back to June.

Now it is set to be finished in mid-July, with town centre regeneration chief Nigel Rix blaming United Utilities for not fulfilling their contractual obligations.

In a report presented to the Town Centre Regeneration Board he said: "Regrettably significant delays have occurred at key points, partly owing to inclement weather and partly because of delays and performance difficulties associated with sub-contractors operating under the control of United Utilities.

"At critical stages in the programme, the main contractor has depended on sub-contractors who are beyond their own control and under the co-ordination of United Utilities.

"Unfortunately such delays have resulted in the unforeseen closure of key walkways through the site for longer than was originally planned. Town centre shoppers and business people have suffered the adverse consequences of these delays which have been beyond the control of the developer, contractor and the council."

Work on the £8million market square development started in May last year and so far 15 units have been let to companies including JJB Sports, Poundland and Wilkinsons.

The first shops will open in early September, with Wilkinsons opening in mid October. The first part of the town centre regeneration - the market pavilions - opened in April.

Mr Rix said: "The nature of these particular utilities companies is they seem not to be held accountable for the consequences and costs they introduce into many of these schemes. At the end of this scheme I suggest we meet with them at the highest possible level and address these sorts of issues.

"United Utilities have a key role in the development. They have taken longer than they should and it has meant an overall delay of approximately five weeks."

A spokesman for United Utilities said: "We are aware of the delays to the site but they have been caused by a number of unforeseen problems including an underground culvert which meant the job on site had to be rerouted and we have been working quite closely with the contractors and developers to sort out the delays as quickly as possible."