DURING the 1960s the centre of Blackburn was gutted and rebuilt with promises that it would be designed for the future, providing better facilities for all. Unfortunately, a number of basic errors were made and that trend still continues.

One of the greatest mistakes was closing King William Street and building Debenham's store, cutting the town in half, which did not help traffic flow.

Other errors included the demolition of Thwaites Arcade, the destruction of the Market Hall, and the building of the very expensive monstrosity called the new Town Hall.

The building of multi storey car parks in the centre of the shopping area again does not help the flow of traffic and causes untold problems.

Unfortunately, when reading of future plans it would seem that lessons have still not been learned. The main problems are caused by not having roads through the town centre.

If we had through roads with railings to pedestrianise the area and no stopping or parking, traffic flow would be improved.

Barbara Castle Way is too near to the town centre and should have been built further out with a roundabout at Bastwell, thus not causing problems by the market, Penny Street and Larkhill areas.

A through road from Preston New Road through re-opened King William Street would provide a clear route through Darwen Street on to Darwen and Haslingden Road. Ainsworth Street should be bus-free, allowing traffic to flow freely to Church Street, which should never have been closed.

Buses should start from a redesigned Boulevard. A new road from Park Road near the shopping estate should run across the main Darwen road to Freckleton Street and on to King Street and Preston New Road.

Multi-storey car parks should have been provided where Barbara Castle Way is at present and also in the Weir Street and Alma Street areas of the town.

I am not a planner, but I am sure that my proposals are far more feasible than the shambles which we have to negotiate today. I am also sure that my suggestions would provide a better shopping area, and would attract more variety and well known retailers to Blackburn, including Church Street and Darwen Street.

I hope that the law of averages will be proved correct and our Blackburn with Darwen Council will one day get it right.

I would be interested to know which members of the public were consulted for some of the recent projects such as Church Street and its so-called art work or monstrosities, because I have not met anyone who agrees with it.

Look out for the next disaster -- the King Street improvement.

MR D POMFRET, Witney Avenue, Blackburn.