MAJOR changes to Blackburn town centre’s traffic network will come into effect on Monday.

King Street is being reversed so that traffic will now flow from the town centre towards Bank Top.

This will enable buses to access the new £18 million health centre opening soon in Simmons Street.

The change also means that staff and students will be able to access the new Blackburn College development.

Coun Eileen Entwistle, lead member for regeneration, said: “The north-west side of the town centre has undergone major transformation in recent years and yet it cannot be accessed by buses.

“It is a major change to the town centre and we know it may take people a while to get used to it but it is essential that residents and visitors can access all parts of the town centre by bus.

“It will also improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists as the traffic lights are being removed on Mincing Lane and being replaced with zebra crossings.”

Council bosses claim motorists will benefit from less congestion in the town centre as they will have the option of exiting straight on to King Street or along Darwen Street without having to wait.

Motorists heading to The Mall car park will either travel from the south via Mincing Lane, left down King Street, Barton Street and then on to Cardwell Place. From the west, they will come via Montague Street, Feilden Street and Cardwell Place.

Loraine Jones, general manager at The Mall Blackburn, said: “On-going investment into Blackburn is vital if we are to continue to make the area an even better place to live, work and visit.

“The regeneration work carried out in recent years, including the £66million redevelopment here at The Mall Blackburn, has made a real difference and we look forward to seeing what the future brings.”

A new one-way system is also being introduced on Feilden Street for parents dropping off their children at St Anne’s Primary School.

How it works

King Street will be reversed to flow one-way towards Freckleton Street. Motorists heading into the town centre will instead have to use Feilden Street, then Cardwell Place to access The Mall multi-storey car park and Darwen Street. Access to King Street will be maintained through Cardwell Place. Motorists leaving The Mall can use King Street or Darwen Street.