TWO vital issues for Darwen will be decided on the same night when the borough’s political leaders meet in the town next month.

Blackburn with Darwen council’s ruling executive board, which usually meets in Blackburn town hall, is to switch venues to Darwen for its October 16 meeting.

That evening, the future of both Darwen town council and the controversial A666 bus lane will be decided.

Council bosses are expecting a high turnout from members of the public and are searching for a venue large enough to cope with both the meeting and the simultaneous count for the referendum on whether to form a Darwen town council.

Council chief executive Graham Burgess said: “It makes sense to have it in the same place as the count.

“The town hall would be too small so we are looking at the possibility of using one of the schools. It will be a big day for Darwen.”

For Darwen boss and deputy council leader Tony Melia said:” It’s an important day for Darwen, and taking the meetings on the road like this is something I would like to see happen more frequently when there are big issues being decided for an area.”

Both issues have divided councillors and residents in recent months.

There has been loud opposition to the £50million Pennine Reach bus lane plan, with traders claiming parking spaces would be lost, the town’s Rotary Club presenting a ‘no bus lane’ petition to council bosses and MP Janet Anderson branding it “bonkers”.

But this week an independent opinion poll revealed more people were in favour of the scheme than opposed it.

The final version, which is expected to reduce the amount of parking lost, will be voted on October 16 - provided the plans are completed - and the three ruling political parties have yet to confirm which way they will vote.

The possibility of forming a Darwen town council has also proved controversial, with the referendum a key factor in last month’s temporary split in the council’s ruling administration.

Labour Sunnyhurst councillor Dave Hollings added: “It will be a hugely important day for Darwen.

“We have been saying for a long time it’s time to let the people of Darwen decide.”