A HOST of traffic restrictions will be put in place to ease traffic fears around the new Darwen Academy.

Residents living in the nearby streets voiced concerns last month that parents parking to drop children off and pick them up would cause 'traffic mayhem' when the building opens in September.

Today, Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council announced plans to stop drivers causing congestion in nearby Hardman Way, Kay Street, Redearth Road and Sudell Road.

There is to be no waiting at any time on Hardman Way, Kay Street, Redearth Road and Sudell Road from Hardman Way to Ashton Lane, and no waiting between 8am and 9.30am and from 3pm to 4pm on Sudell Road north from its junction with Bank Street to its junction with Nancy Street.

There are also plans to make Hardman Way at 20mph zone, in addition to Redearth Road from its junction with Hardman Way to Ashton Lane, and Sudell Road from Hardman Way to a point 25 metres north east of its junction with Nancy Street.

There will be no loading/unloading at any time on sections of Hardman Way, Redearth Road and Sudell Road.

Adam Scott, strategic director of regeneration and environment, said: "With the opening of the new Darwen Academy building in September, it is important that we manage traffic in the area to ensure the safety of road users and pedestrians and minimise congestion.

“In most cases, the restrictions are not located immediately outside residential properties, with the exception of the corner of Sudell Road and Kay Street, where it is necessary to extend the prohibition of waiting order for safety reasons."

Mark Westall of the St Peter’s Residents’ Assocation said: “I’m not sure that these restrictions would really work because people would go and wait in other streets like Entwistle Street and Nancy Street.

“It might just move the problem rather than solve it."

Sunnyhurst town councillor Brenda Cronshaw said: “Where are the parents going to park? It’s just going to push them back.

“Also, with these loading and unloading restrictions, how are you going to get anything to the shops on Bridge Street?”

The new £48million site off Redearth Road will cater for 1,600 students, 400 of whom will be in the sixth form.