THE new traffic system in Accrington has been branded “another nail in the coffin” of the town centre.

Tory councillor Kath Pratt said the revised layout, agreed by both Lancashire County and Hyndburn Borough Councils, was “a disaster” that must be changed.

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The Baxenden representative said: “The system just does not work.

“You cannot get anywhere easily and have to go round the whole town to get where you want which does nothing to cut car emissions.

“It is a disaster and another nail in the coffin of Accrington town centre.

“The new bus station and taxi rank are in the wrong places and the reversal of Holme Street doesn’t work.

“Accrington town centre and its shops and businesses are struggling and this is the last thing they need.

“The county council must and needs to scrap it and start again.”

Cllr Pratt raised the issue with county transport cabinet member Cllr John Fillis who has written to her with a lengthy defence of the system.

His letter said: “The changes support Hyndburn Borough Council’s the aspirations of for the new Town Square as part of the Townscape Heritage Initiative.

“The layout was developed with the Accrington Town Team and the Chamber of Trade, both of who have been very influential in shaping the proposals.

“There has been some congestion on Church Street due to the delayedas the proposed opening of the new bus station, meaning that all buses are now using it rather than local buses.

“Once the buses are using the bus station there will be a significant reduction in bus traffic on Church Street.

“Whilst it is acknowledged the relocation of the taxi ranks was not an ideal solution it was the only viable option.

“It was necessary to reverse the direction of traffic on Holme Street to prevent the development of a rat run through the town centre with problems this causes for pedestrians, particularly the disabled, infirm and partially-sighted.

“There has been a settling-in period as drivers became used to the changes.

“The full effect will not be realised until the new bus station has opens and new parking areas in the Peel Street area are available.”

Cllr Fillis and Hyndburn council leader Miles Parkinson promised a review of the system in six months and say it was agreed by shopkeepers, businesses and taxi drivers with road safety a priority. Cllr Pratt said: “Cllr Fillis’s defence of the new traffic system does not hold water.

“Changes in six months could be too late.”