CAMPAIGNERS are claiming victory after planners agreed to delay a decision over an access road for the Enterprise Zone at BAE Systems.

A proposal to build a new signalised junction on the A59 at Samlesbury and an access road to form an entrance to the new enterprise zone had been recommended for approval by Lancashire County Council.

But county councillors deferred making a decision at a development control committee meeting at County Hall following concerns from residents who proposed an alternative.

Politicians will now defer their decision until committee members have visited the site.

Maria Morton, chairman of the Samlesbury Enterprise Park Action Group said: “This is a fantastic victory for us and I’m glad that the councillors can see some common sense.

“The decision has only been differed so it will come up again at a future meeting but it shows that there are significant concerns about the access to the enterprise zone.

“There will now be site visits and I hope that this will lead to the plans on this pivotal issue being considerably changed.

“It just proves how much a group of residents can do when they pull together.”

The action group was set up at the start of November and has been campaigning for a new roundabout to be created where Cuerdale Lane and Spring Lane meet the A667.

They have criticised the current plans as ‘suicidal’, saying it would endanger lives because of the increased traffic and cause ‘chaos’ at busy times.

Action group member John Greaves said: “It’s very gratifying to know that the council has taken a breather and really thought about this issue.

“When they reached their decision is was very heartening to say the least.”

The county council and BAE Systems are well-advanced with plans for a world-class business and training complex on vacant land at the company’s airfield and factory which would create thousands of jobs.

Around 20 businesses have expressed interest in moving to the zone.