TOWN centre shoppers will benefit from a £230,000 facelift that started today on the bridge link between Blackburn Shopping Centre and the market.

Contractors are revamping the footbridge across Ainsworth Street and the distinctive rotunda staircase.

The open-sided and sometimes windswept bridge will have windows put in.

The work will mean the busy road will close to traffic during off-peak times mostly from 7pm through to 5am.

The building work is expected to take about 13 weeks.

The latest improvements are part of a package of measures aimed at breathing new life into the town centre.

It is designed to complement improvement work already carried out in Ainsworth Street. The bridge will be completely redecorated and lighting and security measures will also be improved.

Blackburn with Darwen regeneration chairman Andy Kay said: "This work represents the next phase of the improvement work which has been taking place at Blackburn markets over the last two years.

"The walkway is to be given an exterior glaze and there are numerous interior improvements which will make shopping in Blackburn a pleasant and safer experience for local people and visitors."

Eamonn Furlong, the recently appointed manager of the shopping centre, added: "This is a very positive step forward. I am in favour of any refurbishment which improves the quality of life for shoppers in the town."

Bus companies will be kept informed about closure times and bus stops will be temporarily moved to surrounding streets.

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