RESIDENTS and businesses in the Duke Bar area of Burnley joined forces to protest against plans to close off a road.

Colin McPhilips, from the St Andrew's Triangle Residents' Association, presented a petition to Lancashire County Council chief engineer Colin Hastings at the public meeting at Byerden House, Burnley. It was signed by a big majority of householders.

The petition objected to plans to close one end of Brennand Street at its junction with Briercliffe Road because of the effect it would have on neighbouring streets.

Mr McPhilips said residents wanted nearby Rylands Street, Ford Street and Heap Street to be made one-way from Colne Road and traffic calming.

Forty people attended the meeting. Many business people feared the road closure would affect trade.

Mr McPhilips said he had been told there was no money for the scheme until 2002, but residents feared restrictions could come sooner.

Lancashire County Council has sent questionnaires to householders in the area. It will formulate plans once these are returned.

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