BUSINESSES in Blackburn have voiced their fears over plans to close Church Street to through traffic.

Blackburn Chamber of Trade, which represents more than 250 businesses, claims that the road closure would have "dire consequences" for the town centre.

And the worried traders say that the council has failed to show any benefits that the scheme would have for shops in the town centre.

The Chamber's comments come just a week after supermarket giant Morrisons claimed the plans will devastate trade in the town and accused the town hall of not consulting the firm over the plans.

Peter Hobkirk, president of Blackburn and District Chamber of Trade, said: "The promise of yet more sterile traffic-free areas in the centre of the town will, in our view, affect the willingness of new investors to look at Blackburn with any confidence. "The experiences of towns like Oxford and Cambridge and the dire consequences that traffic-free areas can have on a town centre must be avoided at all costs.

"The health of any provincial shopping centre depends so much on the diversity of shops and the welcome that awaits the car-borne and public transport shopper."

The Chamber is in favour of the orbital route around town to provide the "missing link" from Barbara Castle Way to Montague Street, but the traders feel that that can still be achieved without blocking traffic from Church Street.

Mr Hobkirk said: "A recent survey of 226 small independent traders in the town centre has revealed huge opposition to the proposed closure of Church Street, and it is now apparent that a major multiple store also has grave concerns over the proposals for the town centre.

"The Chamber remains adamant that the views of these traders and the shopping public should be made crystal clear to the council and its officers."