DARWEN MP Jake Berry has arranged a 'crisis meeting' over concerns about traffic on the A666 at Hollins Grove.

Mr Berry launched a petition after new traffic lights were installed as part of the £40million Pennine Reach scheme across East Lancashire.

The lights were initially intended to communicate with another set of lights to be installed at Birch Hall, however council bosses are now looking at removing them from the scheme.

Since the lights were installed at Hollins Grove, near the junction of Earnsdale Road, residents and companies have complained about long traffic delays in the area.

Mr Berry said: "I am still extremely concerned that there has been no improvement.

"I am especially worried about the huge effect that the ongoing congestion is having on businesses, large and small, here in Darwen.

"Darwen businesses have done a fantastic job over the last few years, they have buckled down and worked hard to come through the longest deepest recession in living memory.

"Unbelievably all this progress is now under the threat of being undone by a set of traffic lights.

"That's why I've arranged a meeting for local Darwen businesses to come up with a plan to get this problem sorted out once and for all."

The meeting is at Kenley Warehousing & Distribution in Hilton Street from 11.15am today. (FRIDAY)