A COUNCIL leader today publicly apologised as long-awaited work on the redevelopment of Accrington town centre was finally due to get under way.

Ian Ormerod, of Hyndburn Council, said he was sorry for any disruption the project caused.

Developers Helical Retail Limited and contractors Pochins have moved into town to begin work on 65,000 sq ft of new shops between Broadway and Peel Street, as well as new market pavilions on both the north and east sides of the Victorian Market Hall.

But purpose-built open market structures built in 1962 must be removed before development can begin and work has begun on the former open market site to prepare it for demolition next week.

The scale of the construction work will involve temporary relocation of bus stops from the west side of Peel Street alongside the market hall and former open market area.

Other bus stops will be temporarily relocated in early September. Earlier this week a businessman in Blackburn Road claimed the plans would cause traffic chaos and delays to bus services.

But Coun Ormerod said: "On behalf of the Council and our contractors, I would like to apologise to all town centre users for any disruption experienced over the next few months.

"This is a complicated development process on a very tight town centre site. Public safety is a paramount consideration. Hence the need to relocate some of the bus stops temporarily. We shall ensure that all shoppers, residents and business people are kept fully informed about the impact of the development works over the next few months and we look forward to the new market pavilions opening for business by early February next year followed by the completion of the shopping development in early May 2003."

Passengers will be kept up to date with bus changes through information posted on relevant bus stops and at the town hall information office before the end of August.

Two large notice boards will be set up in Broadway and Peel Street to provide shoppers with information on the development's progress.

The following bus services have been temporarily relocated with immediate effect: Rawtenstall and Rochdale Services have moved to Stand 1 which is adjacent to Mannings on Peel Street; Fern Gore and Green Haworth Services have moved to stand 2 adjacent to Lloyds Pharmacy on Peel Street; Burnley Service has moved to Stand M which is located on Infant Street.