PLANS to open the front of Accrington Town Hall to Traffic could be a boost to streets filled with empty shops.

Hyndburn Council leader Peter Britcliffe said the idea, which would be carried out as a joint project with Lancashire County Council, was at a ‘very early stage’.

However, he said he was keen to see the plan progress to boost trade in the town.

The semi-pedestrianised area allows bus access only and severs Blackburn Road before the independent shopping areas of Abbey Street and Warner Street.

Last year an investigation by the Lancashire Telegraph found that there were 34 unoccupied shops in the town centre, mainly around this part of Blackburn Road.

Coun Britcliffe said restoring the road access would ‘open up a major artery in the town’. He said: “Traffic is directed away, instead of being encouraged in towards the shopping areas.”

Blackburn Road trader David Casson at Vac Services however said it was ‘too little too late’.

He said: “The council has allowed too many supermarkets in and now its clear they are panicking at the results.”

Market trader Andrew Mills at Hindle Butchers said: “It’s the worst thing they ever did cutting that road off.

"Opening it up will bring shoppers back.”