FURTHER support for the controversial Colne-Thornton-in-Craven by-pass has come from members of the public, following talks on the multi-million pounds project.

More than 1,500 responses were returned following a series of displays on the road plan - with 60 per cent in favour of constructing the A56 villages by-pass.

The figures, to be presented to tomorrow's meeting of Lancashire county's highways and transportation committee, follow yesterday's announcement that Pendle Council's 1,500-member Citizen's Panel had backed the plan by 77 per cent. The report to members says reasons given against the bypass proposal included environmental damage, loss of amenity, fears of future development and that the old rail route between Colne-Skipton should be re-opened.

It adds there is also "substantial representation" from people who considered the M65 should be continued through Colne's South Valley to Yorkshire as originally planned.

There was general agreement from both those for and against the by-pass that other measures to improve traffic gridlock on the North Valley should be implemented as soon as possible.

Councillors are being urged to give the go-ahead to a proposal for a roundabout at the junction of the A56 Skipton Road/A6068 Windsor Street to replace the existing traffic signals; traffic management measures in Langroyd Road and traffic management measures in Market Street and Craddock Street and improvements to the signal-controlled junction at Skipton Road/ Market Street.

Further reports on all the measures will be brought back to the committee in due course, say officers.

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