TRADERS are furious about roadworks which they say are 'dangerous' and will make shoppers avoid their town 'like the plague'.

Gas mains replacement works began this week in Bacup and roadworks, making the roundabout in St James Square out of use, have created traffic chaos, according to traders.

Anthony Leach, owner of Universal Cleaners, and Joan Paterson, owner of New Beginnings, both in St James Square, say articulated lorries are struggling to manoeuvre the road's junctions with Todmorden Road and have been driving over the pavement, almost hitting a telephone box.

The gas works will be finished in eight weeks, but £1.1m bridge works to repair a culvert from Bacup Library to South Street begin in September for eight months.

This means Bacup is facing at least 10 months of major disruption.

While the culvert work is being carried out the South Street junction with St James Street will be closed and a one-way system will be introduced in a southerly direction along St James Street and up Union Street towards Market Street.

Mr Leach, campaigning for the traffic to remain two-way during the bridge works, said: "We are not going to get people stopping. My takings are already down."

Mrs Paterson said: "The situation is absolutely mad, it is horrendous and dangerous.

"Somebody will get hurt."

Mr Leach and Mrs Paterson contacted Lancashire County Council highways department yesterday to carry out an assessment.

A spokesperson for the National Grid said she was sorry for any inconvenience caused but the work was essential and the road works system was done through consultation with Lancashire County Council's highways department.

A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council said traders would be consulted about the bridge works in the next few weeks.

He said: "As with any scheme of this type road closures and restrictions are planned in order to allow traffic to flow as freely as possible while works are carried out. "