THE success of the Spar Shop at Pike Hill had led to nightmare Traffic problems, Burnley councillors were told.

Coun Philip Walsh said the congestion was especially bad on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with people going to put on their lottery tickets.

The shop owners have applied for planning permission to install a cash machine at the shop in Brunshaw Road.

Councillors, residents, the parish council and highways authority all expressed concern that more visitors to the site would add to the already heavy traffic.

Coun Walsh told colleagues on the development control and highways sub-committee that there had been numerous bumps and that the traffic situation had become a complete nightmare since the former garage was converted into a shop.

Traffic travelling from Burnley turned left into Brownside Road and then sharp right on to the shop site. Sometimes they had to wait on the road, causing congestion. "It is a complete and utter nightmare, it has got beyond a joke," he said.

Coun Anne Smith suggested a voluntary one-way traffic system through the site as a possible answer.

Coun Walsh agreed, adding that traffic leaving the site and intending to cross over Brownside Road to travel towards Worsthorne should be directed left and round the mini roundabout to prevent more accidents.

Officers were given delegated power to approve the planning application provided the owners agreed to the voluntary one-way system and any other measures to reduce traffic problems.