NEW roadworks in the New Year will affect parking in Rawtenstall town centre. From January 7, work will start on the replacement of a culvert.

The Phipp's car park off Bank Street will lose 17 long stay parking spaces for up to 14 weeks, resulting in more congestion on crowded streets in the town centre.

The Ormerod Street and Bank Street area was affected by work on another culvert during the summer. Problems with the second culvert came to light after that scheme was started.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said more disruption would have been caused if they had attempted to carry out both schemes at the same time.

He said the new scheme would not affect access to shops and have a minimal impact on the town centre.

The culvert was considered to be in a dangerous condition and replacement was essential. Had it collapsed the whole of the car park would have had to be closed.