BLACKBURN’S new £4.7million bus station is expected to open at Easter, 15 months later than planned.

The final piece of 134 specially-made five-metre by 1.5-metre reinforced glazing panes surrounding the structure was damaged.

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Currently a large piece of cloth is covering the missing glass on the corner opposite Morrisons on Salford waiting for the replacement to be fitted shortly.

Managing director of main contractors Eric Wright Construction John Wilson, who in December gave the revised Easter opening deadline is pleased with progress.

He said: “ I can report the following:Feature Glass Reinforced Plastic loops are complete; External flagging and cladding are well underway; Bolt installation for the sliding doors is complete and doors will be installed mid-February; Drainage works are ongoing; Glazing to the envelope is practically complete; Additional fire protection to steelworks is complete; and Mechanical and electrical installations are ongoing.

"Shortly, we will be commencing the completion of the partitions to the hub area, paving preparation to Ainsworth Street and internal concourse paving."

“Works are progressing well and we are on track to deliver the project within programme.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council regeneration chief Phil Riley said: “We are on schedule to open the bus station by Easter."

“Work was completed and precautions taken before the bad weather over Christmas and the New Year so work was not further delayed by it.”

The bus station was originally planned to open in December 2014 before Blackburn with Darwen Council sacked original contractors Thomas Barnes Group.