A TOWN centre trader claims he is being forced to move his business because the congestion caused by the closure of Blackburn's Church Street is making his life a nightmare.

Bob Turner, who runs Toplex, in Penny Street, has moved into Blackburn's Lord Square complex because it means he will be nearer to his warehouse in St Peter's Street, which links Mincing Lane to Darwen Street.

Mr Turner used to send his lorry from the warehouse to his electrical shop three times a day with goods on board and the journey took five minutes.

But now that Church Street has closed, the lorry is having to travel along Darwen Street and along Blackburn Boulevard -- a journey Mr Turner claims takes 15 minutes longer due to congestion and other town centre roadworks.

Mr Turner said: "I have been in this unit for quite a long time and it is a prominent site and people know where to find me.

"But I am losing my drivers for large chunks of the day now after journeys now take 20 minutes each way. It means I can't get items down to show customers on request and my deliveries out to other places are late."

By moving to Lord Square, Mr Turner will be able to use the top of Church Street to access the shopping centre's loading area.

It is the third time Mr Turner has moved properties. He started out in Fleming Square, but that area became a nightmare for lorries turning.

He then moved to St Peter's Street before opening his shop in Penny Street.

He added: "It will, hopefully, lead to the journey times going back to what they were, which is a good thing. I approached the council to express my concerns and see if they could help me, since they caused the problem, but they were little help."

Mr Turner's wife will take over the shop and use it for home furnishings.

Today, Coun Ashley Whalley, executive member for regeneration, said they had taken Mr Turner's comments on board.

But he added: "We believe he must be talking about exceptional journeys if it took 20 minutes to get from one place to the other. Our traffic section do daily timed runs between these two areas and, for us, it has never been more than five minutes at peak hours.

"Mr Turner was advised his new unit in Lord Square was not eligible for a property grant, but a business support officer did speak to him regarding an improvement scheme for his property off Darwen Street.

"We are delighted Mr Turner and his family are retaining the existing unit and are continuing to invest and expand in Blackburn.

"I am sure he will agree that the regeneration work nearing completion in the town centre will help to ensure the future prosperity of his and other key businesses in the area."