POLICE today appealed for motorists to use their common sense after a delay in work on Accrington's long-awaited town centre development prompted fears of further traffic chaos in the town.

Temporary bus stops on Blackburn Road will be in place for another week after the start date was put back.

The work, to erect safety hoardings on the site of the current bus station in Peel Street, was due to commence on Monday but Hyndburn Council said that contractors had notified them of a delay of one week.

John Schofield, of Hyndburn Council, said: "There was a three week slot that the work could be carried out in by the contractors and we were informed that work would take a week.

"They proposed to do it this week and consequently we arranged for bus stops to be moved from Monday and sorted out advertising informing people of the changes.

"Subsequently last Friday we were told it would be the week after. Having gone through all the publicity exercise we decided it would be better to make the change and just extend it.

"I would like to apologise for any confusion but it was down to the contractors who changed their minds at the last minute."

Inspector Phil Cottam, of Accrington police, said: "The work is not starting until next week but it is not going to go on forever.

"We are asking people to use their common sense with regards to keeping traffic flowing during this time and police will do the same.

"There is nothing to stop businesses in Blackburn Road from loading and unloading if they are not causing an obstruction and the best times would be before and after the busy bus periods

"These works will cause some disruption and we want to ensure we do not get a situation where emergency services cannot get into the town centre.

"Hyndburn First and the contractors have said they will get the work done as quickly as possible."

Mike Brook, project manager for the market development, today explained that the delay was due to unforeseen problems with ground conditions in the area between the Market Hall and Broadway which kept contractors on that job for longer.

He said: "Work will now begin on Monday and we anticipate it will be completed in a week."

The work will involve putting up safety hoardings to protect members of the public when the building of two new pavilions begins between the bus shelters and market hall. This development should be completed by early February, he said.