MARKET traders have warned of Traffic snarl-ups if roads are closed as part of a multi-million pound redevelopment plan for Burnley town centre.

The changes would ban traffic on part of Curzon Street and leave market traders with only one entry/exit for their service bay.

Traffic orders, affecting five streets, are necessary for Great Portland Estates to begin its £12.5 million redevelopment of the market car stack on Curzon Street.

At a public inquiry into the plans, secretary of Burnley Market Hall Tenants' Committee, Paddy Brady, asked Burnley Council engineer Gordon Leighton what would happen if two 40ft lorries were trying to get into and out of the remaining service entrance leading from Bankfield Street.

He said: "If there are orange badge holders parked as well where are the lorries going to go? Are they going to back up into the service bay?"

Mr Leighton said he anticipated changes to the traffic regulations on Bankfield Street and disabled drivers could be prohibited from parking in certain areas.

He also said traffic would be reduced because the road was currently being used as the entry to the market stack.

Mr Brady was concerned that there was no plan for a pedestrian crossing on Brown Street where all cars from the proposed new multi-storey car park would exit, but Mr Leighton said the car park would be barrier controlled.

Concern was expressed that traffic lights on Active Way and Kingsway might not be able to cope with the increase in traffic, nearly 200 cars an hour on a weekday, which currently use the closure threatened streets.

Mr Leighton said there were plans to alter the timing of the lights to accommodate the traffic.

The hearing continues today when opponents of the plan are expected to give their evidence.

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