TRADERS and motorists were today warned to brace themselves for more traffic chaos as work on Blackburn's new orbital route stepped up a gear.

The warning came as the councillor tasked with regenerating the borough admitted it was not ideal for Church Street to be closed before the ring road was complete.

Work on the southern part of the new orbital route -- designed to reduce congestion in the town centre -- began on Monday.

Roadworks will take place in Higher Audley, Lower Audley, Darwen Street Bridge, Freckleton Street and Montague Street.

But drivers on other roads around the town centre last night faced queues after Freckleton Street was opened to two way traffic -- meaning traffic using Weir Street no longer had right of way out of town and began backing up on to Railway Road and the Boulevard.

The work is being done after the closure of Church Street, which would have helped alleviate the congestion but Blackburn and Darwen Council today conceded there was nothing it could do about the timing of the work.

Coun Ashley Whalley, executive member for regeneration, said: "The roadworks form a major part of the regeneration.

"While all effort is being made to reduce inconvenience, it is impossible to implement a scheme of this nature without a few short term difficulties.

"It was not possible to complete the orbital route before Church Street was shut because Church Street is being part-funded by European cash which needs spending before Christmas. "Our hands are tied. We are now going hell for leather to complete the roadworks before the fours weeks running to Christmas so it does not affect shoppers."

Owner of Oxford Hide in Weir Street, Tony Murtagh, said he felt the ever-changing roadworks were making the town an unpopular choice for visitors.

He said: "Why should people come to Blackburn if they can easily travel somewhere else? This latest set is a nightmare to say the least."

The AA has already criticised the council for carrying out all roadworks at once. At one point last month, just one route into Blackburn was free of cones.

A spokesman for Blackburn's Chamber of Trade said traders were suffering across the town. "We hope the work is finished by Christmas as promised," he said.