Have Your Say On New Proposals To Reverse King Street

Last summer the Council held a public consultation to get views from businesses, residents and visitors about how the town centre could work better for pedestrians, cyclists, bus users and motorists.

Some of the most common concerns related to general access and navigation, the difficult one way system, pedestrian safety and parking. Although people were impressed with how the town centre had improved over the last few years and were keen to visit, they found the road layout ‘confusing’ and ‘frustrating’.

One of the top suggestions for improvement was the reversal of traffic flow on King Street to provide a more welcoming and easier route directly into the town centre.

The Council is currently developing an action plan which responds to other concerns and suggestions.

As part of this, an opportunity has been identified to look in more detail at the proposals for the reversal of King Street.

Now that the new Montague link road is well underway, reversing the direction of traffic flow has becomes a viable option with minimal physical changes or disruption.

Other popular suggestions included better signage, the removal of clutter and obstacles on pavements, more seating, improved lighting and safer routes for cyclists.

Although free after three and all day Saturday, car parking has proven to be a popular initiative with businesses and visitors alike, but the consultation highlighted the difficulties for town centre workers to find affordable parking.

The importance of the town centre gateways and the first impression visitors get when coming into the town was something that people also felt strongly about.

A number of improvement works have already taken place or are planned that address key issues raised through the consultation.

These include improved Town Centre bus routes serving Debenhams and The Town Hall / Sudell Cross, improvements to pedestrian access on Feilden Street, removal of bus lane only access at Barton Street, reviewing of taxi ranks at the bottom of Church Street, simplifying the orbital route with the completion of Montague Street link road, a three year programme of cycle lane and safety improvements,  the provision of a mini interchange linking bus and trains and a gateways improvement programme.

A more detailed consultation with businesses and organisations in the King Street area will begin on Monday 27^th July, with a public meeting being held on Wednesday 29^th, 5.30pm at Kings Court, 33 King Street.

Councillor Phil Riley, Executive Member for Regeneration, said:

Before any decisions are made, it is important that businesses are consulted further. However, the construction of the new link road does present us with an ideal opportunity to make a change that will now work for the town and is what people have said they want. We want to hear people’s views on how it could work.

Please send comments to julia.simpson@blackburn.gov.uk or write to Julia Simpson, Economic Regeneration & Business, Room 413, 4th Floor, Town Hall, King William Street, Blackburn, BB1 7DY. Businesses, organisations and residents in King Street area can also request a visit by calling 01254 588958.