PLANS to implement a new one-way system in Accrington town centre after the Bank Holiday weekend have been welcomed by councillors.

The changes affect the area around Peel Street where the old bus station used to be, with a new one-way system being introduced.

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Councillors Abdul Khan and Mohammad Ayub said the would benefit the town and its residents.

In the newly designed Peel Street 20 new parking spaces will be created, including two dedicated disabled spaces, two loading bays and a taxi rank.

A further 25 parking spaces are set to be placed on Bridge Street, Infant Street and Bank Street.

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

Cllr Abdul Khan, who represents the Central Ward, said: “Until the changes take place people won’t notice the benefit, but I am excited to see this development and what it could mean for the town.

“I think anything that provides the town with more parking spaces is good news because it is something that the town has been missing for a while.

“It is a good thing to have as we can attract more business and money into the town.”

The detailed changes mean Peel Street will become one-way from Blackburn Road to Infant Street and one-way from Pleck Road to Infant Street.

Infant Street will therefore completely reverse its current direction, which as it stands is one-way from Peel Street to Abbey Street.

Bridge Street will be one-way from Blackburn Road to Infant Street whereas Bank Street will remain the same, one-way from Infant Street to Tasker Street.

Cllr Mohammad Ayub, who also represents the Central Ward, said: “As some of you may know the county council have changed the road situation since the bus station was moved several times, but this recent development does make me happy.

“Bringing in a new taxi rank will increase the amount of drivers available and residents will also have the chance to take full advantage of the parking spaces in the town centre - especially the market traders.”