SO the road that has served Blackburn's folk so well and serviced the town centre for hundreds of years is to be closed.

The current council's commonsense approach to the town's traffic problems would appear to be sorely blighted by the rose-tinted haze of regeneration grants.

Despite our best efforts to persuade them otherwise, they insist that the mish-mash of side streets now called the orbital route will cope with increasing volumes of traffic.

We say that they should have a permanent, expedient and safe alternative in place before they alter the centre road.

Pollution alone will cause health problems to the people living next to these roads and the safety aspects need much consideration.

The regeneration of the town centre will see the expansion of Townsmoor retail park -- which is at the other side of this orbital splendour and with its free parking, it definitely will not help the current traders of the town.

On behalf of concerned traders and shoppers, I presented a petition of nearly 3,000 signatures at the council forum and was told by Councillor Ashley Whalley that, according to social scientists, the direct question of a petition does not give an accurate enough picture to the signee and so is unacceptable to the respondent.

His traffic engineer, Mr Richardson, says that these 3,000 people will have the opportunity to object now that the traffic order has been posted.

At this 11th hour, we can and must still voice our objection to this folly by writing to: Linda Comstive, Town Hall, Blackburn, by December 15 at the latest -- or we run the risk of being gridlocked forever.

BOB TURNER (Mr), Toplex Ltd, Penny Street, Blackburn.