A CONTROVERSIAL £750,000 double roundabout scheme has been put on hold, it has been announced.

Bosses from the Bacup’s Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) board met with Lancashire County Council to discuss concerns over the proposed public realm scheme for St James Square.

In a statement, Bacup THI board chairman Coun Andy MacNae said the area’s county councillors had opposed any scheme moving the existing roundabout.

But Greensclough ward Councillor Jimmy Eaton denied any suggestion he was trying to stop the initiative moving forward and said he backed an alternative proposal that would see a single kerbed roundabout and the fountain retained.

Council bosses are set to meet on Thursday to discuss that revised proposal, which would also see lighting around the fountain, and more space for parking and vehicle loading.

Earlier this month, Rossendale council’s regeneration boss Coun MacNae revealed his anger at opposition to the scheme and said there would be no time to redraw and implement a new one before the 2018 deadline.

Cllr Eaton said: “I am trying to deliver what the people in Bacup have told me what they want. At no time have I ever wanted to block this scheme.”

In a statement, Cllr MacNae said: “At a meeting at County Hall, County Councillors Steen and Eaton confirmed their position that they would not support any public realm scheme for Bacup that moves the existing roundabout. This was despite amendments to the scheme following consultation and our offer to move the fountain.

“Given our reliance on LCC funding for the project this means that the proposed Bacup THI Public Realm Scheme cannot go ahead. The existing scheme is therefore stopped. Whilst this decision may be popular with those who have opposed change I believe that the great majority of people in Bacup will be deeply disappointed that our chance to deliver transformational change to the town centre has been lost because of this opposition.”

He added: “On a positive note, I was pleased that County Councillor Keith Iddon gave a firm commitment that the funding previously allocated to the scheme will remain earmarked for Bacup and his promise that county council officers will now work closely with our THI team to develop a new public realm plan that can be delivered within the THI timescales." Councillor Iddon also acknowledged that LCC should be open to supporting extra costs arising from the late change.