THE new £4.1million Ewood Gyratory system on the main A666 between Blackburn and Darwen opened this week with traffic teething problems and traders concerned about access for customers.

A bus-only section of Bolton Road between Calico Street and Kidder Street had to be closed because of cars continuing to use it on Monday night.

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Misdirected vehicles cut across the main traffic flows to Livesey Branch Road, where new signals will not be in operation until next week.

Despite the full opening of the new Alan Shearer Way dual carriageway from the Fox and Hounds pub to the new Aqueduct Road junction, confused motorists caused congestion around the area.

With Bridge Street closed, at one point jams stretched back into Blackburn town centre on Monday night.

But during yesterday’s morning rush hour the traffic was flowing more easily.

The new road layout was three months late, with works scheduled to take a year ending in August.

Michael Berry, chairman of Thwaites Empire Theatre, in Aqueduct Street, said yesterday: “There were teething problems on Monday night but they seem to have settled down in the morning. We hope things will now run smoothly as it has taken a long, long time.”

More road signs were put up yesterday, among them ones directing drivers to five businesses including the Ewood Dress Agency and The Iron Inn on the bus-only section of Bolton Road closed during the first evening rush hour.

Dress agency owner Wendy Harrop, 48, said: “There was some confusion and teething problems on Monday night.

“We just want people to know our businesses are still here on the A666 between Calico Street and Kidder Street and make sure drivers are properly signed to show vehicle access to our premises.”

Borough regeneration boss Phil Riley said: “We have had to close the bus-only section until the new lights at the junction with Livesey Branch Road are working on Monday.

“Overall it went fairly well, perhaps seven or eight out of 10.

“There were traffic problems with resurfacing last week but when the new traffic lights are working and all the signs are in it should work well.

“I would like to thank businesses and drivers on the A666 for their patience.

“A big test will be when Rovers play at Ewood Park a week on Friday.”

Bridge Street in Blackburn town centre will remain closed all week for frontage works on Bridge House, causing delays as all traffic uses Jubilee Street instead.