THE official opening of Blackburn's new-look bus station has been delayed by a month following a series of hitches.

The Boulevard is in the middle of a £2 million revamp and building work was scheduled to be completed by September.

But a number of snags have put back the official opening until October 31.

Town hall chiefs are now planning to link the opening of the bus station with the unveiling of the refurbished railway station.

Work on upgrading the two stations started six months ago and the scheme is a joint venture between Blackburn Council and Railtrack.

The development saw the demolition of the bus station followed by the construction of covered walkways and improved lighting. The facade of Blackburn train station, a listed building, has been cleaned up and the old clock is being bought back to working order.

A new pick-up and waiting areas for cars and pedestrians is also being built in the Boulevard.

A spokesman for the council said: "There have been a number of hitches but we hope the work will be completed in time for the official opening of the railway station in October.

"There were problems with a culvert beneath the Boulevard and that had a knock-on effect on the rest of the work."

Bus passengers are using temporary stops in Jubilee Street, Salford, Railway Road, Church Street and Penny Street while the work is carried out.

Traffic restrictions have also been introduced during the refurbishment.

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