A new bus station could be operating in Accrington by Autumn 2015, it has been revealed.

Plans for the new interchange, which will be moved to the former Kwik Save car park from its current location on Peel Street, were this week submitted to the council’s planning department.

The application includes  new images of how the new modern building will look.

Town hall bosses claimed this week that the resiting of the current station will herald “significant and lasting” community benefits and improve access to jobs, healthcare, schools and shops.

A business plan is set to be submitted to the government within weeks. It is hoped work on the scheme will begin no later than October this year and could open by Autumn 2015.

Council leader Miles Parkinson said the bus station is one of a number of “exciting new plans” aimed at revitalising the town centre. He said: “It’s great news as it will provide new much-needed facilities in Accrington and better transport provision and improvements throughout Hyndburn.

“It’s a building which will complement the area very nicely and is something that is long overdue.

“We have to rejuvenate the town in different ways and make the places for people to live there and businesses to work there.

“We have a lot of small employers and businesses and good transport links are very important. It will bring employers and business into the borough.”

The new ten-lane bus station will be sited on the former Kwik Save car park off Crawshaw Street and include state-of-the-art buses, bus lane priorities in congested areas, a ‘smart key’ ticketing system and improved waiting facilities.

The plans are part of a revived Pennine Reach scheme which will see £40 million ploughed into transport infrastructure across the borough.

Ian Smith, vice-president of Hyndburn Chamber of Trade, said he hopes the move won’t affect shoppers coming into the market hall. He said: “It’s good that we are finally getting a new station and bringing it into the 21st century.

“However my only concern is how it will affect the market as it’s moving the station away from it.”

Under the plans a pedestrian arcade will be created using the Lady Clitheroe retail unit on Union Street to allow safe access to the station. Planning bosses say they are in discussion with the owners over purchasing the unit and relocating the shop.

Road changes outside the town hall have already been approved in anticipation of the new bus station with the area set to be pedestrianised and used for markets and festivals.

Part of Blackburn Road will be turned into a one-way system to help ease congestion.