WORK is underway on the controversial £5.4million Spinning Point bus station project in Rossendale.

Hoardings have been erected around the Rawtenstall town centre site, which will see the demolition of the old police station, one-stop shop and annex to the town hall be replaced by a single storey, eight-lane bus station which includes some retail space.

The original part of the town hall will remain in place and will become Together Housing Association's new office location in the borough.

But the plan have met fierce criticism from campaigners during the consultation periods, as they involved the removal of part of the old town hall, which dates back to the early 1900s.

Campaigners also said proposed road closures to North Street and Lord Street will cause problems around the development.

The Rossendale Together Barnfield (RTB) Partnership is running the scheme, which has been awarded £1.9m from the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership’s Growth Fund and £3.5m from Lancashire County Council.

Cllr Alyson Barnes, leader of Rossendale Council, said: "It will be great to finally see the bus station up and running.

"The current bus station was built 40 years ago and was only ever meant to be a temporary measure and this has been 10 years in the planning.

"Shortly, we'll be look at phase two and consulting with residents about what type of businesses they would want to see in the retail units."

Kevin Ruth, chairman of the RTB Partnership, said: “We are pleased the hoardings have gone up and people can see the progress that has already been made.

"The scheme is on track and once finished will be a big boost to this borough.”

Cllr Andy MacNae, who also sits on the RTB Partnership board, said: “Work continues apace on this project and I am very excited to see the development when it is finished.

"It shows even in tough times we can bring investment into this borough and get big projects delivered.

"We have lots of great things happening in this borough at the moment with lots of exciting projects lined up which will complement the attractions we have here, boost the economy, create jobs, bring visitors in and improve the area for residents.”

Brian Michael, Vice-chairman of the Rossendale Civic Trust, said: "We've worked with Heritage England to retain the original part of the town hall, and that's a real bonus for the town.

"But the road closures are still going through the system and we know there's been some objections to them.

"We feel that if Rossendale Council and Lancashire County Council had communicated with each other more effectively in 2013, when the original traffic scheme was drafted, we might have a bus station now."