Accrington traders fear plans to relocate the town's bus station could put shops out of business.

The criticism follows Government approval of the £40m Pennine Reach Scheme to improve transport links and create a state-of-the-art bus station on Crawshaw Street.

But traders say plans to relocate the current bus station from Peel Street will have a huge impact on footfall.

Tracy Gavan, manager of Manning's bakery, on Peel Street, said many traders fear the scheme could kill off trade in that part of town.

She said: “I just don't think people will come over to this end of the town easily, especially elderly people because they've got to think about how to walk around with shopping from the bus stop.

“People tend to come in here last because they can pick up delicate cakes and breads.

“We have a lot of elderly customers. My parents have friends from the Rossendale valley who get the 464 because it comes to the bus station and they can get to the market easily.”

Mushqat Juwale, from Smithson Newsagents, on Peel Street, has written to the Secretary of State for Communities, Eric Pickles, objecting to the scheme. He said many people are concerned that they will lose the market place and independent traders which make the town a 'vibrant' place.

He said: “This proposed relocation would effectively destroy an already failing market town and would see many traders cease trading and become bankrupt from what is already a fragile market.

“The proposed relocation needs to be reconsidered and the needs of the local businesses need to be taken into account.”

Chris Anslow, Lancashire County Council's head of public transport policy, was disappointed with the views.

He said: "I'm sorry to hear that some traders are concerned about the new location of Accrington bus station.

"I think we've reached a good solution and one which keeps the bus station within Accrington town centre, though it is never possible to please everyone equally.

“There were several opportunities during the planning process for interested parties to have their say but I understand we only received one objection during this time."

The new bus station will be sited on the former Kwik Save car park at Crawshaw Street with investment being ploughed into creating dedicated bus lanes, parking restrictions to improve traffic flow, increased use of smartcard ticketing and priority traffic lights.

Work on the new ten-lane bus station will begin in the next 12 months and could welcome passengers by Autumn 2015.

What do you think? Send your views to the letters page at accringtonobserver@menmedia.co.uk.