TRAFFIC congestion in Colne is expected to be eased with the introduction of new measures.

Members of the Colne and District Committee approved the proposals, which forbid waiting at any time on the east side of Skipton Road between Byron Road and Oak Street, the use of Langroyd Road, Colne in both directions by vehicles of more than 7.5 tonnes, except for loading and unloading, and prevent vehicles from travelling south along Langroyd Road from its junction with Skipton Road.

The draft proposals for the traffic management, as well as for the pedestrian improvements proposed for Colne town centre, will be put on display in the town, all shopkeepers and businesses will be letter-dropped and Coun Tim Ormrod also asked that a wider consultation take place to include shoppers, disabled user groups and bus passengers. Councillors agreed that the discussion of the proposals for Market Street and Church Street, which include making Craddock Road two-way with the possible demolition of either the Tower Ballroom or the Job Centre, should be undertaken with the county council and police.

Work in the town centre would commence in 2002 at the earliest.

Lancashire County Council has set aside £750,000 for 2001/2002 to provide a roundabout at the junction of Skipton Road and Byron Road and it is hoped the proposed traffic orders would work in conjunction with it.