WORK on Burnley's £2million revamped bus station could get under way next month -- if planning chiefs give their seal of approval this week.

The council's development control committee is being urged by officers to give the go-ahead on Thursday because they believe that major objections to the scheme have now been addressed.

Burnley Hackney Carriage Association argued that the proposed layout would make life difficult for taxi operators, but withdrew objections after negotiations with council officials.

Burnley Library's concerns over access have also been met in revised plans, says a report to councillors.

The officers' report says: "The bus station is the first stopping-off point for many visitors to Burnley and it is important that this first impression of the town reflects a high quality and attractive image for visitors."

It is planned to introduce public art and examples of local craftsmanship into the area.

The project - which replaces a much larger £6.5million scheme aborted last year - will provide Burnley with "a state of the art" new concourse with 18 bus bays on the Centenary Way side. Facilities will include a caf, shop, travel and tourist information office and toilets on the facing side.

The design, by architects Strzala Associates, proposes a purpose-built taxi rank and car passenger dropping-off bay at the Gunsmith Place end of the concourse.

A site for future shopping development is identified at the corner of Croft Street and Red Lion Street, but construction on this can only begin after the new bus station has been completed in the spring of next year.

The new building, say the council, will be a stylish modern design, with a glazed wall facing the Centenary Way side, with a canopy for buses to pull under, so passengers can go to and from buses under cover, with fully-automatic doors for all entrances to the concourse.

Council chiefs say the aim is to encourage the use of public transport and create a landmark for bus travel.

While the new station is being built, temporary arrangements will be made for bus stops either side of Croft Street, on Red Lion Street and Parker Lane.

The project will be paid for through a partnership between Burnley Council and Lancashire County Council, with grants from government single regeneration budget and contributions from supermarkets Sainsbury and Tesco.

Modus, which owns the Safeway House building which dominates the bus station area, has announced plans to re-develop the building.

The new bus station will link with plans for a major new Tesco supermarket in Centenary Way and the construction of a new roundabout on Centenary Way.

There have been months of wide public consultation.