TRADERS on a town centre street claim major changes to Blackburn’s traffic network are ‘killing business’.

King Street has been reversed so that traffic now flows from the town centre towards Bank Top.

This enables buses to access the new £18 million health centre in Simmons Street and the new Blackburn College development.

But traders in King Street, once billed as the ‘grand gateway’ to town, said the reversal in traffic flow and diversion of buses has hit trade.

And delays have been reported in nearby areas including Fielden Street, Montague Street and Barbara Castle Way.

Brenda Buck who runs the Simply Snacks cafe, King Street, with Carol Kenyon, said: “As soon as this was implemented on Monday we felt as if we had been cut off.

"There was massive confusion among motorists and I get the impression that most vehicles that make it this far down King Street are lost.

“Prior to Monday, workers, students and shoppers would get off the bus and come in but now that trade has gone.

"It just seems so badly thought out. The signs on King Street are ramshackle; even arrows for the cycle lane point the wrong way.”

Omar Juma, of Primo furniture store, said: “The new road system just takes traffic away from King Street.

"This used to the be entrance to the town for all traffic from the west of Blackburn, Chorley and the M65.

"But now almost all the traffic coming the other way just turns into Barton Street.

Tt’s almost as if they have made a cul-de-sac.”

Stuart Scott, network manager for Blackburn, said it would take time for people to get used to it: “We put electronic signage up two weeks ago and staff have been on the streets this week to ensure that motorists do not get confused about the new route.

"The scheme is not finished yet and the change to King Street had to be made now to enable some of the remaining building work to go ahead.

"We have spoken to businesses on King Street and agreed to provide additional signage for them.”