BLACKBURN Boulevard is set for traffic chaos as a new one way system starts this weekend.

And critics have blasted council top brass, claiming the new scheme will drive people away from the town centre.

The traffic changes mean the road around the Boulevard has become a one way system for cars, taking ordinary traffic from Railway Road to Jubilee Street only.

Drivers wanting to get to the train station from the Darwen direction will have to negotiate a route via Mincing Lane, Mill Lane, Darwen Street and George Street - where there are limited stay parking spaces available.

Only buses and taxis will be allowed to enter the Boulevard from the Darwen Street direction.

Liberal Democrats leader Councillor Paul Browne branded the scheme "pathetic", and added: "Compared to Preston and Bolton, this town centre traffic system's a total farce and the worst I've ever seen. It needs a rethink - I believe it will drive people away from the town centre."

Tory leader Councillor Ian Forrest described it as 'an accident waiting to happen'. He said: "The system hasn't been well publicised and I fear there could be accidents.

"All it will take is for someone to drive up the road the wrong way unwittingly, and meet something head on coming from the other direction."

But council bosses defended the new route, saying it will improve the town's bus system and reduce traffic congestion on the Boulevard.

David Marrin, of traffic management, said: "We envisage it will cause problems to begin with, but we are certain drivers will get used to it."

Council leader Councillor Malcolm Doherty said teething problems would be overcome.

And Sergeant John McLaughlin, of Blackburn's traffic police, said: "We will be monitoring the situation closely. Initially anyone having trouble will not be fined, they'll be let off with a piece of good advice."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.