AN “UNWELCOMING” subway could become a key route into Blackburn if a major road is closed to traffic.

Traders have warned the underpass, at the back of the railway station, would not encourage visitors to the town centre.

They say they are “massively concerned” about the controversial plans to close Railway Road to through traffic.

Council bosses say the move will encourage greener transport and cut traffic jams by stopping motorists using the town centre as a through route.

As part of the plans, the car park at the back of the station would be used by people arriving from areas like Fenniscowles and junction five of the M65.

Chamber of trade president David Cottam said: “We do have concerns about using underpasses as access points.”

Darwen Street jeweller Phil Ainsworth, chairman of the town centre marketing committee, said: “It is something I have heard, and it is something I’m concerned about.

“It’s not the nicest and you can’t expect people to walk under an unwelcoming underpass to get into the town.

“You don’t encourage people into town by shutting roads, and making people go through an underpass isn’t the answer.”

Council bosses are planning to close Railway Road as part of the £70million regeneration of the Cathedral Quarter area, and say once Blackburn’s orbital route is completed to link up with the new Wainwright bridge traffic will not need to use the route through the town centre.

But Mr Ainsworth said the move would force potential shoppers along a “tortuous” route around the town centre.

He added: “Just shutting the road would kill the town centre. We have to look at the whole of the traffic flow.

“Unfortunately the council does see this as fundamental to the regeneration of the town centre.

“We have seen in the past how quiet shops become when link routes are closed.