WORK on the first stage of a major scheme to improve a traffic blackspot in Blackburn town centre is underway.

The initiative, part of the £2.5 million council Town Centre Action Plan to boost investment in Blackburn, will see a new one-way system in the Copy Nook area, which has seen 60 serious accidents in the last five years.

The new road layout will take cars travelling from Copy Nook into Higher Audley Street and down Higher Barn Street on to Higher Eanam.

It will also see the creation of a cycle path running into the centre of town.

Two derelict shops which front on to Higher Eanam are now being demolished to make way for the new link road.

"Blackburn has great potential to become the largest and most successful shopping and leisure venue in the county," said County Councillor Andy Kay, chair of regeneration for Blackburn with Darwen Council.

"Transport and regeneration initiatives will go hand in hand to help realise that potential."

The Copy Nook initiative, is one of seven schemes which will form the Blackburn Orbital Route around the town centre.

"Not only are we aiming to cut down on a serious accident problem which has caused a headache for police and motorists for a number of years, but we are aiming to reduce traffic congestion in the town and to improve access for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport vehicles," said Councillor Ashley Whalley, chair of highways and transportation.

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