AFTER yesterday's unveiling of plans to transform Blackburn town centre Regeneration chief COUN ANDY KAY explains what he and the council hope to do over the next few years.

TWO years ago the Council published a strategy to find out what was needed to take Blackburn town centre into the future.

Communities across our towns responded very positively and during the last twelve months we have been negotiating an agreement with a group of companies who are likely to be our partners in a massive investment programme that addresses what you told us you wanted.

A lot has been done over the last five years with Barbara Castle Way, Fleming Square, the Capita building and the Peel development but we need to constantly improve.

You said the main issues you want are a better range of shops, more parking and less conflict between traffic and pedestrians.

This master plan has gathered together these comments, examined key problems and put forward a radical plan of action attempting to deliver what you asked for.

Any artwork that you will see is not a plan of what we or anyone else sees as happening, it is a concept, an idea to throw into the pot and start people thinking.

Your ideas will help to address some of the conflicts which will inevitably arise over the consultation period, and the coming years of development.

We need a better range of shops, so we need to show retailers they have a future investing in Blackburn.

Our partners such as the Mall will play a major part in this.

They are already reporting an impressive array of quality high street names looking to secure a place in Blackburn.

The town centre is on the up and the word amongst investment circles is that now is the time to invest in this area.

The master plan also indicates to potential investors that the Council and its partners are serious about regenerating the town centre.

The market will remain a central focus of the town.

The current market is showing its age, simple patching will not ensure it survives.

We need a new market and we need to improve the area around the market so that shoppers are able to spend time and money there.

I want a market that is envied - one that people travel to from neighbouring towns. Far fetched? I believe we have the traders and the money to do the work; we just need the ideas from those that matter most - the traders and their customers.

We need to ensure that the way traffic flows in and around the town centre is suitable for everyone's needs.

I want public transport to be improved with quality buses and routes improved to ensure a better service for the travelling public. We need improved car parking. We already have a new multi storey car park planned for land next to Waves but can this be improved further?

Where should the bulk of our offices be located?

How can we encourage more people to live in the town centre to prevent the ghost town effect at night when shops are shut?

These are all questions which any final plans will have to answer.

This won't be easy, there will be disruption, but you have to ask yourself - do we sit back and tinker about the edges or do we take the initiative now we have the chance?

We also have to be aware that there will inevitably be those who choose be overly negative and unconstructive in their criticism.

Unfortunately they will tend to be driven by issues unrelated to the future of the town centre.

In a sense I welcome the challenge though. I want a strong and vigorous debate - all views count and are wanted.

This is a long term plan for the future prosperity of the town - we need to get it right.

We have over half of the money required and the rest will be found from amongst the partners.

This masterplan will act as a catalyst for further investment. We were recently named the Enterprise Capital of the North West and per population we have managed to attract more investment than any other town or city in the North West so I am confident any agreed plans will be affordable.

Copies of the masterplan are being circulated for discussion and from the end of January will be available in our new visitor centre for you to look at and comment upon.

I hope you choose to contribute to the town's future plans.

Most of the money is already there, the will from the Council and its partners to deliver is there, but we need your input.

It is your town centre and the one which your children and your children's children will use so let's make it one which we can all be really proud of.