A £1.4 MILLION traffic scheme to transform Darwen town centre has been given the go-ahead.

The scheme, part of the wider Darwen Town Centre Masterplan, aims to improve traffic flow from the junction of Bury Street and Duckworth Street through to the Circus.

It will be funded through the local transport plan.

The need for action became apparent when it was revealed that nitrogen dioxide levels in Darwen town centre were exceeding government levels because of standing traffic on A666 at rush hours.

The council was given the task of getting the traffic flowing again.

Coun Andy Kay, Blackburn with Darwen Council's executive member for regeneration, has now given his approval to the proposed scheme.

Developments are also expected to improve the links for pedestrians between the town centre and the health and leisure centres, particularly at the junction of Police Street and Green Street.

The main aspects of the scheme include:

l Rerouting southbound traffic which currently uses Duckworth Street and Market Street to Bury Street and Green Street.

l Widening Bury Street to create enough space for two-way traffic instead of the existing two lanes for one-way traffic.

l Moving buses towards Market Street which will free space in the market square for public art.

l Resurfacing Duckworth Street.

l Alternating traffic flow in certain side roads to improve traffic movement.

l Using high-quality materials and street 'furniture' to improve the town centre.

l Improving pedestrian crossings.

Despite opposition from market traders and some residents, who claimed consultation was not carried out properly, the borough council said the result of a consultation exercise had showed the majority of people were in favour of the scheme.

Town centre businesses were mixed on their views of what the scheme would mean for them.

David Devlin, of Home Furnishings, Duckworth Street, said: "I think it will be better for most businesses.

"The traffic is a real problem at the moment. It backs up for miles." But Diana Whyte, owner of Diana's Sandwich Bar, also in Duckworth Street, said: "It is not good news for me.

"It will mean people won't be stopping outside the shop, and we obviously rely on passing tade. It will ease traffic problems for others."

It is hoped work to redevelop Market Street and replace the bus station will be completed by the end of next year.

A second phase creating an open public square in the space left by the streamlined bus station is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2007.

Phase three would involve major traffic works, possibly making Green Street two-way, creating a bus-only lane from the bus station to Green Street and allowing local traffic only along Duckworth Street and Market Street between George Street and Arch Street.

The final phase would be the redevelopment of the three-day market which is subject to funding being made available.

No completion dates have been set for these phases.