BLACKBURN'S new-look boulevard is back on track after a £2m facelift.

Improvement work to the public transport site has included a new bus station and a major refurbishment of the facade and canopy of the railway station.

Following eight months of intensive work, the area, which occupies a key site adjacent to Blackburn Cathedral, has now re-opened.

Buses and taxis will once more be able to pick up and drop passengers at one of the country's premier integrated transport termini, as they have done for nearly a century.

An official opening will take place on Thursday when the Mayor of Blackburn, Coun Mary Leaver, hosts a special ceremony.

This will be part of a week of events to mark the re-launch of the town centre, under the 'Blackburn - It's Happening' banner.

The boulevard re-development is the result of a partnership between Blackburn Council, Lancashire County Council, Railtrack, North West Regional Railways, Blackburn City Challenge and The Railways Heritage Trust.

Blackburn Council's work has involved a complete re-design and re-building of the bus station, with the installation of a covered walk-way, better paving, a new road surface and improved lighting. Railtrack's scheme involved renovating the front of the railway station, which is a listed building, as well as re-slating the roof, cleaning the brickwork and restoring and repairing the clock.

A new pick-up and waiting area for cars has also been added.

Coun Andy Kay, chairman of the authority's development services committee, said: ''The new-look boulevard is a superb example of local partners working together to produce a quality scheme.

"It will contribute significantly to the regeneration of Blackburn town centre and complement the work which has already taken place in the shopping centre and markets.''

He added: ''The work is of exceptional quality and fully in keeping with our future status as an all-purpose unitary authority.''

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