TRAFFIC experts at the RAC Foundation are in no doubt about the question of parking in Church Street - short-stay or otherwise.

The group believes there should be clear distinctions between areas where cars may go and areas when they may not.

"You cannot have a pedestrianised street which then becomes a car park as well," said spokesman Kevin Delaney.

"You create this ridiculous situation whereby people think they can park there and then get confused when they get parking tickets if they outstay their welcome.

"If you pedestrianise a street, you do it properly. That means no police cars able to use it, no cyclists and out of hours deliveries only.

Anything else causes confusion and risks an accident because cars and pedestrians think they have right of way."

Coun Paul Browne, leader of the Liberal Democrats on Blackburn with Darwen Council, agrees parking should be outlawed in the newly spruced area.

He said cars parking in Church Street will wreck the concept of the development when it is completed in October. The scheme is designed to encourage a cafe society in Blackburn with pavement tables complementing the new cobbles, statues and water features.

But Coun Browne said: "Who in their right mind is going to sit down at a pavement cafe in Blackburn when there are cars pulling in and out, belching out fumes all day?

"Would you sit and eat your lunch there? I certainly wouldn't.

"I think it is asking for an accident to happen. Church Street is supposed to make it easier for people to get around the town now it has been pedestrianised, not harder.

"All that money spent on it for a cobbled car park."

Coun Alan Cottam, of the Conservatives, said: "We have a fudge here which isn't going to work."