QUIETER, safer shopping streets are on the way for pedestrians in Blackpool town centre.

Blackpool Council next week starts a five-month £400,000 construction project to divert traffic, pave streets and ban cars from parts of Corporation Street and Market Street.

The scheme is aimed not only at improving safety, but the environment, adding trees, seats and decorative lighting.

Nevertheless, Blackpool Council admits it will cause considerable disruption while the work goes on and is ready to help affected businesses by making special arrangements for deliveries.

The scheme, though welcomed by most businesses, has already run into flak from taxi drivers.

A convoy of cabs halted traffic by driving round the town hall, horns blaring on Monday morning (Feb 9), in protest over the transfer of one of their ranks.

Blackpool technical services director Robin Wood said: "The rank is being moved only 40 yards, from one side of British Home Stores to the other.

"I don't believe just moving round the corner will affect their trade."

There will be a 24-hour rank outside the NatWest Bank on Corporation Street and additional night-time ranks on Market Street, adding slightly to the number of spaces overall.

Meanwhile, for private cars, restrictions come into full force next Monday (Feb 16) to allow people to familiarise themselves with the new routes.

The main town centre car park, at West Street, will be open throughout.

Eventually, only buses, taxis and delivery vehicles will be allowed in the lower end of Church Street, Corporation Street and Market Street, adding to the existing pedestrianised Birley Street.

While the work goes on, northbound buses will be diverted from the town centre, stopping instead near the Sacred Heart Church, Talbot Square.

A special anti-slip crossing point will be installed between the Grand Theatre and British Home Stores, with public toilets nearby.

"It will create a distinct identity and bring a very special dimension to the town which will be widely welcomed by both businesses and the general public," said Mr Wood.

Consultant for Blackpool Licensed Taxi Owners Association Mr Trevor Boaler, explained why they want a public inquiry and want to stay in their rank outside British Home Stores.

"The majority of the clientele in that area are shoppers, families, the elderly and infirm," he said.

"Round the corner in Market Street there's a percentage of drunken behaviour that will intimidate families and the elderly."

The pedestrianisation cuts traffic to one lane for public transport only and the council has given precedence to buses.

Other ranks are also in dispute, particularly outside the Tower, where people have to cross four lanes of traffic to get to a rank on the Promenade.

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