A CAMPAIGN calling for the safety of roads near a business park to be assessed has been launched.

Clare Hales, of the Burnley Bridge Action Group, has called on Burnley Council to assess a number of roads near the Burnley Bridge Business Park after plans were lodged to expand technology distribution business Exertis by 19,741 square metres.

Miss Hales, 32, from Padiham, said there is already a lot of traffic on Magnesium Way and Accrington Road with cars and lorries backing up onto the junction 9 slip road on the M65.

The teacher said she is concerned the expansion would cause more traffic issues and lead to someone being seriously injured in a crash.

She said: “The lights at Rossendale Road are already choking.

“Cars often have to queue up along the slip roads which leads to people cutting in and other dangerous manoeuvres.

“The roads cannot cope as it is and this extra traffic would be a nightmare at peak times.”

Within the planning application Highways England stated the business park's original planning consent limit for vehicles arriving during the morning peak times - to ensure the motorway junction is safe and effective - is already being exceeded.

Miss Hales is calling on the council to complete a junction capacity assessment to look at how much traffic is impacting on the road before making a decision on the proposals.

She said: "The assessment is crucial in highlighting the real extent of the traffic issues in this area.

"We need improvements to the road network, these assessments will help to prove that."

Within the planning document, a spokesman on behalf of the applicant said the proposals will provide more jobs in the area.

A Burnley Council spokesman said: "The council is currently working with stakeholders involved to assess the impact of Burnley Business Park at junction nine of the M65.

"The assessment will allow proper appraisal of the future demands on the existing highway infrastructure."