ACCRINGTON'S new town centre police station will open this spring, it has been confirmed.

The outdated Spring Gardens station is to be replaced with a new one half a mile away on Broadway when two empty former shops are kitted out at a cost of £500,000.

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The old shops have been vacant for around a year and it will take 12 weeks to complete works before the new station can be occupied by police, it was confirmed at a council meeting.

The existing premises would require considerable investment to bring them up to standard so the move will save more than £51k per year in running costs, councillors were told.

It will also provide a base for the Neighbourhood Policing Team, a public access point, hot-desk space for immediate response officers, along with parking for police vehicles and patrol bikes.

The final approval came at a full Hyndburn Council meeting after council leader Miles Parkinson was challenged by Councillor Peter Britcliffe.

Cllr Britcliffe questioned the delay and asked the leader why it was taking so long to make this move.

Cllr Parkinson said: "Contracts are in process for the police station and the relevant documents have been signed.

"It will take about three months to finalise and set up, but the two units will be occupied in spring.

"The town centre needs the liveness it used to have and we need to see more of the properties being occupied on the Broadway."

A report to the council last year said: "There has been a desire by members to have a visible police presence in Accrington town centre.

"It will help to reduce crime or fear of crime, and instil confidence in business, shoppers and visitors of the town centre."

Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw said he was delighted that it had passed the approval stage through Hyndburn Council.

He said: "The need for a new police station was identified some time ago when it became clear that current premises would be too costly to upgrade.

"I will be investing £500,000 converting the new premises and ensuring they are equipped with appropriate communications, for example.

"This is a one-off cost and will provide an essential facility in the town improving the visible policing presence and helping to regenerate the town centre."