COUNCIL bosses have U-turned on a decision to change to kerbside parking in Darwen town centre.

Local business bosses in Market Street were fuming when the diagonal parking bays were replaced in June.

They said the decision, which was taken to accommodate new taxi parking bays across the road, had lost them business.

But after reviewing the situation, Blackburn with Darwen Council bosses have decided to move the taxi bays and reinstate the old parking bays.

Blackburn with Darwen Council executive member for regeneration Coun Mau- reen Bateson said: “I made a commitment that if the taxi rank was not being used, I would remove it. I was always looking to try to satisfy everyone who had raised the issue.

“We have now found a new site for the taxi rank.

“The reason the parking bays were changed initially was to make space for the taxi bays, and as it is moved, we can now reinstate the echelon bays.”

The taxi bays will be moved to outside the Natwest Bank, further up Market Street.

Darwen MP Jake Berry said: “It is a welcome U-turn by Blackburn with Darwen Council and it is time they stopped imposing these badly thought out plans on Darwen. I am pleased shoppers will now be able to enjoy the busy Market Street and find decent parking spaces at the same time.”

Darwen Town Council mayor Trevor Maxfield, who is also a borough councillor, said: “This is a welcome move by the council. We have listened to the concerns of residents and traders and thankfully a better solution has been found.”

Prospective Labour candidate for Darwen in next year’s General Election Will Straw said: “I am delighted the council has listened to the concerns of local businesses and is taking this action to restore the old parking and move the taxi rank.”