TOWN centre traders fear a damaging month of lost business as major construction work continues some three months after it was due to be finished.

Most of Abingdon Street and part of Church Street will be closed for the next month, at the height of the summer tourist season, despite the fact that traders were told work would be finished in early June.

Peter Tagg, of Greenwood's menswear, Abingdon Street, claims the timing of the work demonstrate a 'lack of common sense' at the town hall.

"We all knew it was on the cards but I don't think any of us realised it would be happening at the height of the summer season.

"People tell me they haven't been into Blackpool since the beginning of the year because getting into town is such hard work.

"The end result of all this work will probably be superb - it's the timing of the work. It was supposed to be completed by now. There has been a total lack of common sense. The problem is they are not commercially minded people. There is no responsibility, no comeback from them. If there had been a financial penalty it would have been done and out of the way by now."

A council spokesman said: "The temporary closure of Abingdon Street and the area of Church Street between Leopold Grove and the Winter Gardens is to enable the final part of the Town Centre Pedestrianisation Project to take place. The Project is designed to create a safe, pedestrian friendly environment and make it easier for the movement of public transport through the town. These were the key issues identified by residents and businesses when they were consulted.

"The final stage of the project will involve removing the existing surface to replace it with a new high quality granite surface.

"We have tried to keep the inconvenience to a minimum by carrying out some of the works during the night so the road can remain open during the day. Unfortunately while the surface is being laid the road will be unavoidably closed.

"The work was originally due to finish at the end of June but due to delays at the construction stage this was not possible.

"Businesses have been told about the work that is taking place and explaining the closures. After businesses will still be able to use the road for loading purposes outside the hours of 10.30am and 6pm."