BUSINESSES and organisations across Blackburn are set to have a say on the Civic Society's plans to ease traffic problems in the town centre.

The scheme for an inner relief road to take traffic away from around the south of the clogged-up town centre was unveiled at a public meeting.

It would carry vehicles from Accrington Road and Copy Nook via Audley Street and Lower Audley Street to Darwen Street Bridge, then along Canterbury Street to connect with Montague Street via Harrison Street and Byrom Street.

The aim is to open up busy roads for parking and improve access to businesses and shops.

And the long term target is to improve trade and business in Blackburn by improving access for shoppers and visitors.

Pressure groups, local firms and bus operators will all get the chance to have a say before a final plans are drawn up.

Behind-the-scenes talks have also been taking place between the Civic Society and the town hall. Civic society chairman Roy Walsh has been involved in the scheme for more than 12 months and helped to design the route of the relief road.

He said: "It would not take a lot of work to implement the scheme. All that would need to be done would be to change some signposts and make some minor adjustments to road layouts.

"The roads which would make up the inner relief road are in already in a good condition.

"We want to persuade motorists to drive round the town rather than through the middle of it.

"The problem is whether the council would have enough funding to create the relief road. We are planning to hold a series of small forums to find out people's views on an inner relief road.

"The ideas would then be amalgamated before going back to the council with the finalised plans."

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