A NEW £3million bus station could be opened in Rawtenstall within two years but it has already been attacked by traders.

The Local Transport Plan set to be submitted to the Government next month, identified Rawtenstall's bus station as a top-five priority.

And plans for the scheme are now being drawn up by Lancashire County Council, with provisions being made for a 30-35 space park and ride' car park.

But councillors and chamber of commerce chiefs said a new bus station on the current site in Bacup Road would be in the wrong part of town.

The proposed design includes eight stands, a lay-by, concourse, toilets, offices and a maintenance and fuelling area.

It would also offer digital travel information and would be cleaned and maintained to shopping mall' standards.

A planning application is likely to be submitted in either April or May.

Clive Balchin, president of Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce and a Bank Street trader, said: "One week we hear the county council is having to axe bus service because nobody is using them and then they plough ahead with a new bus station because money is in the budget and they feel they need to spend it regardless of whether it's right or wrong for the town.

"The site is too valuable a site to be used for a bus station. You never see many people standing at the bus station whereas Bank Street is full of people."

"The chamber suggested a proper park and ride scheme at New Hall Hey because 30 spaces is not enough. They would be snapped up in seconds. We accept people will go to bigger places to shop but they want to be able to come to Rawtenstall and know they can park to do their niche shopping."

Coun Leonard Entwistle, an ex-chairman of Rossendale Transport slammed proposals.

He said: "To have the new station on the current site is barmy and lacks logic.

"I would prefer to see the bus station at the railway end of town so we can have the rail facilities, interchange and parking all in one area.

"I want to make sure we get this right so we're not looking back in 20 years and saying well we got that wrong'."

Chris Anslow, public transport policy manager for Lancashire County Council, said: "The new bus station for Rawtenstall is a project which is on-going at the moment.

"Discussions are being held with the bus company and district council and designs are in the process of being drawn up.

"It would be nice to see it open in less than two years time if we have a fair wind."