Extra car parking spaces and new one-way systems around the old Accrington bus station site will come into force in the next few weeks.

Transport bosses said 20 new parking bays will be provided on Peel Street, including two dedicated disabled spaces, two loading bays, and a taxi rank.

A further 25 parking spaces will be created on Bridge Street, Infant Street and Bank Street.

The parking will be free to use, time limited to two hours, and will operate from Monday to Saturday between 8am and 6pm.

Lancashire County Council (LCC) said the existing one-way system which had been designed to aid the movement of buses will also be changed to allow everyone to access the area.

The new one way system will include:

  • Peel Street becoming one-way from Blackburn Road to Infant Street and fron Pleck Road to Infant Street.
  • Infant Street becoming one-way from Peel Street to Abbey Street – a reversal of the existing direction.
  • Bridge Street becoming one way from Blackburn Road to Infant Street.
  • Bank Street remaining one-way from Infant Street to Tasker Street.

The pedestrian crossing at the Peel Street junction with Blackburn Road is also being upgraded to a zebra crossing.

The changes will come info effect from Tuesday, August 30 after the Bank Holiday weekend.

County Councillor John Fillis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “There used to be a car park where the new bus station now stands, and the plan has always been to replace the spaces lost with new parking on Peel Street and the surrounding area which previously had to be kept free for buses to manoeuvre.

“This new parking will also make it convenient for people to access the market and visit businesses in this part of Accrington.”

Councillor Clare Cleary

Coun Clare Cleary, Hyndburn council’s cabinet member for Accrington town centre, said: “These plans are part of the wider Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) improvement scheme , which includes the creation of the a new town square in Accrington and further improvements to Peel Street and Blackburn Road. We want as many people as possible to have their say about the first draft proposals, which will be available in the autumn.”

The THI works will run from April to December 2017.

What do you think of the proposals? Send your views to accringtonobserver@menmedia.co.uk