WHEN they are in place, the proposals for East Lancashire's rapid transit scheme could have a major impact on our travelling plans.

The £20 million proposals are the biggest-ever bid in the area to encourage people to use public transport and cut congestion.

The super bus lane plans, stretching from Darwen to Blackburn, and from Accrington into Blackburn, are ambitious yet they pale into insignificance when measured against a proposed 11-mile bus lane stretching from Bolton to Manchester.

But many people in Bolton are already fed up with short stretches of bus lane which are scattered across town.

The Greater Manchester proposals, like East Lancashire's, are set to go out to public consultation in the next few months. But they are facing massive opposition.

Motorists there are actively campaigning for one well-used bus lane, running along Deane Road in the town, to be shortened, saying it is actually causing congestion.

One of the main concerns revolves around drivers trying to exit a main road. A difficulty which could easily occur along the A666 from Darwen to Blackburn, or Blackburn Road through Intack and Church, with East Lancashire's planned bus lane.

Brian Town, aged 70, from Daisy Hill, Bolton, is asking his borough councillors to make it easier for cars wanting to turn left into College Way, Bolton.

And he has won the support of Bolton Institute of Advanced Motorists.

Mr Town said: "I think the congestion at this busy road is caused by the bus lane, as there is not enough room for the cars wanting to turn left to get across into the left-hand lane."

Roy Sammons, chairman of Bolton Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: "Motorists have the choice to either stay in the right-hand lane and risk that another driver will let them in, or they can drive in the bus lane and risk prosecution." Council chiefs say there are no plans to make the switch as it is designed to give priority to bus services throughout the day and speed up journey times.

One of the longest-established bus lanes in the county runs along Fishergate in Preston and Lancashire County Council highway chiefs say it serves its purpose.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said the bus lane was only one way, along a portion of its route, and did not materially affect traffic flows in places, but it was considered to be effective in reducing congestion.

Manchester City Council has signalled that it is set to become the first local authority outside London to use CCTV cameras to monitor car drivers illegally using bus lanes.

And Bury Council is also considering adopting the same approach.

But not all public bodies are comfortable with the bus lane concept.

Jenny Chapman, from the RAC, said: "We welcome any measures to tackle congestion and encourage people to use schemes such as this to reduce carbon emissions.

"Using bus lanes can also be slightly quicker but my concern with this particular plan is that it is not continuous and there may be safety hazards if people park or get stuck in bus lanes.

"You don't always get the results you want with bus lanes."

Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson has been the most vocal critic of the East Lancashire scheme to date.

She said she feared that dozens of parking spaces would be lost and front gardens could be ripped up to accommodate the lane.

The East Lancashire idea is part of the East Lancashire Rapid Transit plan by Blackburn with Darwen Council and Lancashire County Council, to improve transport between key employment sites.

The bus lane would only be added at key points where congestion is a problem.

Officials have yet to release details of where the sections of lane will be.

Mrs Anderson said: "This scheme is bonkers. Officers said it would ease the congestion on the A666.

"I said, No, it won't - it will make the congestion worse.'"

But Tony Melia, Darwen councillor and owner of a plumbing business on Duckworth Street, which could be potentially affected by new bus lane, supports the plans.

He said: "The idea is a positive one and we will have to see what impact it has on businesses in the area, including myself, but I have been told it won't be too bad.

"What I can't believe is Janet Anderson's attitude. She has known of these plans for at least two years and it's only now when a new administration comes in that she disagrees with it.

"Politics come into the equation and it's not helpful.

"Her opinions fly directly in the face of what the Government plans are to reduce carbon emissions and pollution, and frankly, if anyone needs to get out of a car and onto public transport, it's Janet.

"The aim of the new administration is to be open and engaging, and during the proper consultation that will run from October 2007 to January 2008, we will be listening to the voices of people in the borough."