A LEADING councillor has hit back at traders who said roadworks were ruining their businesses, and promised them a bright future.

Coun Ashley Whalley, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said the disruption at Audley Range was short-term and impossible to avoid.

He added that the traders would benefit as the work would allow more traffic to pass through their area.

Four traders claimed the roadworks had caused profits to dip by up to 50 per cent.

One worker had already been laid off from F I Patel News, while the managers of Aquamania and Leaver's Bakery said they expected to let some staff go in the coming weeks.

They were fearful that shoppers would become accustomed to avoiding Audley and felt frustrated that their businesses were suffering to circumstances out of their control.

The work is being carried out to improve Lower Audley Street and Audley Range as part of the construction of Blackburn's orbital route. Blackburn with Darwen Council officers have devised this route around the town to help traffic flow more easily.

Coun Whalley said it formed a major part of the regeneration of Blackburn and hoped traders would see the long-term benefits.

"Specific alterations have been made to minimise the impact to local traders and these were made within hours of the complaints being received," he said.

"Works of this nature inevitably create short-term disruption. And while efforts have been made to reduce any inconvenience, it is impossible to implement a scheme of this nature and size without a few short-term difficulties.

"The works are part of the overall regeneration strategy for Blackburn town centre and as more unnecessary traffic avoids the town centre, businesses on the orbital route will become more high profile and ultimately more successful.

"Businesses in the Audley area will benefit from the southerly expansion of the town centre. All local residents and traders were notified about the start of the work, which should be completed over the next two weeks."