A MATTER of major concern is the creation of an orbital route around Blackburn's town centre and the proposed closure of Church Street to through Traffic.

A number of new developments add to the confusion - at Townsmoor (the old Gas service area), the railway station modification, and the leisure/business complex at Lower Audley.

There are bound to be differing opinions on whether these will increase or decrease use of the town centre.

While consultations are taking place with the main parties in the town, a more difficult exercise is getting the views of users and residents. A number of issues need to be considered.

Pedestrianisation of Church Street will create a physical barrier between the shopping precinct and markets and the south area - railway station, banks and Darwen Street.

Access to Darwen Street will be via the Boulevard, one way from Salford and out via Jubilee Street.

From the other direction, it will mean going by way of Barton Street, Northgate, Preston New Road on to Barbara Castle Way, onwards to Penny Street or the roundabout near Thwaites brewery.

Traffic will then be forced to choose between joining the orbital route at Cicely Lane on to Higher Audley Street or by access at Copy Nook. Higher Audley Street and Audley Range will be expected to take up to 25 per cent traffic at peak times, adding to the congestion and pollution of a densely populated area, together with the added safety issues for residents and schoolchildren in the area.

The new complexes at Townsmoor and Lower Audley will be serviced by Lower Audley, Jubilee Street/Darwen Street and by traffic crossing the A666 at the Brewers Arms.

While the problems are complex and need careful consideration, it would be helpful for the general public to become involved.

Everyone, I am sure, would welcome a reduction in car usage, but the question is how practical this is in reality.

Without public transport alternatives, no-one is going to reduce car journeys significantly.

With half a million new cars on the roads every year the problem just grows.

Massive investment in public transport is needed before any reduction in car usage can even be considered even then, the convenience of the car will still hold sway for a great many.

Environmental and congestion problems need to be addressed urgently.

However, creating more intense usage of a sub-standard road network does not appear to be the complete answer.

Improving a few junctions, creating bus lanes and cycle ways will only have the desired effect once a public transport meets not only the economic demands of operators, but also the social needs of the travelling public.

It would be helpful if the residents of the town made their views known so that a more considered decision is made on their behalf, on how to resolve a very thorny problem.

I have no doubt that business and environmental groups will be and are contributing to the debate, the question is: Are they representing their own interests or those of the wider population?

Answers on a post card to the Town Hall please.

COUNCILLOR PETER GREENWOOD, Blackburn with Darwen Council, Town Hall, Blackburn BB1 7DY.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.