ONE of the final obstacles to kick-starting the redevelopment of land near Blackburn’s £7million link road looks set to be overcome.

Council bosses have started the process to block off part of Byrom Street, as part of efforts to rejuvenate the Wainwright Way corridor.

Home Bargains has pinpointed the site for a new store and garden centre, which it is hoped would generate up to 80 full and part-time jobs for the town.

Borough council regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley has previously welcomed the initiative, which came after the local authority sold off the site to Eric Wright Construction.

He added: “The Home Bargains development covers three of the plots on the left hand side as you come towards King Street. It would take up about half of the retail park.”

The stretch of Byrom Street to be closed would run between Chapel Street and the River Blakewater, under the scheme’s original plans.

Before the scheme was passed, planning agent Alastair Skelton told borough planners that the development would result in a new retailer and a significant investment in Blackburn. A spokesman for the Department of Transport confirmed that anyone who had any objections to the proposal now had six weeks to lodge representations with the National Transport Casework Team in Newcastle. The bridge was officially opened in 2008 but a string of problems over the demolition of the 18th century Police House in King Street, the purchase of Blackburn Spiritualist Church and the relocation of hundreds of graves delayed the highway scheme.

Redevelopment is slowly transforming that corner of Blackburn, which had been left in limbo until the bridge opened and the new Blackburn Community Fire Station was opened opposite.

Work is continuing on converting the former car components warehouse on Freckleton Street, near the old burial ground.

Developers are adding a two-storey extension with the hopes of opening a solicitors office. A new restaurant could also form part of the scheme.