CHANGES to the one-way system in Accrington town centre have been branded ‘disgusting’ by a business owner.

It comes as part of Lancashire County Council’s plan to create 45 car parking spaces across Peel Street, King Street, Bridge Street, Infant Street and Bank Street, following the construction of the bus station in King Street.

Rohit Vig, who runs clothing store Abbey Street Shopping Centre, said the additional parking spaces and re-routing of the one-way system in the area will drive customers away.

The plan includes 20 spaces in Peel Street, with two dedicated disabled spaces, two loading bays and a taxi rank, with the remaining 25 on the other roads.

A new one-way system would give all road users access to the street, not just buses, delivery and disabled drivers.

Mr Vig said: “Businesses are worried because lots of customers used the buses that stopped near our shops.

“Now with the bus station further away, I’ve been told by regular customers that they would find it easier to get a bus to Blackburn as their market is right by the bus station.

“The shop has been here for 25 years and we are worrying about trade because of what the council is doing.

“It’s disgusting what’s happening to the area, the bus stop by our street has already gone, we could lose a lot of customers who feel it’s too far to walk.

“We don’t need the car parking space, we need the buses.

“You would get a two or three people in a car journey to the market, but you would get a bus with 20 people on it, they make a much bigger impact.”

The car spaces will be free to use with a maximum time of two hours, from Monday to Saturday between 8am to 6pm.

Peel Street will become one-way from Blackburn road to Infant Street.

Infant Street will become one-way from Peel Street to Abbey Street and Bridge Street will be one-way from Blackburn Road to Infant Street.

Bank Street will remain one-way from Infant Street to Tasker Street.

Leader of Hyndburn Council, Cllr Miles Parkinson, said: “With change there always comes controversy and I can appreciate the concerns voiced by traders.”

“The plans do include a bus stop in Blackburn Road which would only mean a small walk to Infant Street.

“There will also be a new taxi rank so shoppers will be able to get even closer to the market.”

The changes are proposed to be introduced from Tuesday, August 30, following the Bank Holiday weekend.

Cllr Clare Cleary, Hyndburn Council’s Cabinet Member for Accrington Town Centre, said; “We want as many people as possible to have their say about the first draft proposals, which will be available in the Autumn.

“Work is due to start on site from April to December 2017.

“We’ll let you know more about the consultation when dates are confirmed.”