MORE than 200 people turned out at Chipping Village Hall for a meeting to hear how the main road from the village to Longridge will be closed.

Tonight's emergency meeting, called by Chipping Parish Council, was intended to inform local people of the temporary move, affecting Longridge Road between Hesketh Lane and Tile Kiln corner for essential work on water mains.

The traffic will be diverted through Walker Fold, Mitton and Hurst Green, adding 15 miles and 20 minutes onto journeys for eight weeks beginning on March 17.

The Department of Work and Industry have stated that water quality is being affected by mineral deposits in the water mains, and they must be relined before 2010.

Residents complained that they had not been informed of the work, that it is badly organised, and that it would affect their livelihoods.

Large lorries transporting farm equipment and school buses use Longridge Road - one survey showed that in one and a half hours, 373 vehicles used the road, more than half of which were HGVs.

John-Paul Bretherton, who runs Bretherton's Gold Line Tours, which transports children to local schools, said: "We haven't heard anything about re-routing and I don't know how we're going to get kids to school.

"One commercial vehicle will fill the whole road and the diversion will grind to a halt.

"The extra 15 miles and the cost of diesel will mean we won't be able to compete."

Resident Brian Hopkinson added: "The routes planned for diversion haven't been maintained properly for the last 10 years. Within two months they will be like dirt tracks."

Longridge GP Dr Andrew Hicks said: "There has been no consultation at all.

"I am a doctor covering 120 square miles and I need emergency cover. I should have been consulted."

The meeting was attended by representatives from Lancashire County Council, United Utilities and Balfour Beattie.

Speaking about the official representatives, chairman of the Parish Council, Graham Wilkinson said: "It is clear that the people have come tonight with no specifics to answer our questions, and I think we need to hold another meeting at a later date."