LABOUR councillors have hit back at opposition to plans for a traffic-free town centre in Blackburn.

Traders on Darwen Street and the town's market traders have condemned the plans to divert through traffic away from Church Street and Darwen Street on to a ring road.

The town's chamber of trade has also expressed reservations about the closure of one particular section of Church Street.

The Tories' Coun Fred Slater backed the complaints from traders at a meeting of Blackburn with Darwen Council

He said: "We have got to make sure people have access to our town centre and make sure this does not cripple it."

But Highways committee chairman Coun Ashley Whalley replied: "This has been explained to the Conservatives time and time again and the penny just never seems to drop.

"This is the only town I know of which has a dual carriageway running right through the centre of it.

"Substantial developments are planned for the area behind the railway station and we have this massive barrier in the centre of town which will prevent people getting to them.

"People simply cannot get across the road. Church Street and Darwen Street have the highest accident rates in Blackburn.

"What exactly is the Tory policy on this? Come into Blackburn town centre and get mown down by a car?"

The council masterplan for the town centre has been on the drawing board since 1998.

It involves using Barbara Castle Way, Montague Street, Copy Nook and Audley as part of a new route for through traffic.

Motorists who wish to park and shop in the town centre will still be able to use Church Street and Darwen Street and will be directed to car parks by electronic signposts.

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