MOTORISTS in Rossendale are calling for a temporary roundabout to be brought back to a busy main road to get rid of their traffic headache.

The short-term measure was brought in to help traffic flows in Bacup Road, Waterfoot, when traffic lights had to be switched off for vital underground work to be carried out.

But now that the lights are back in use, drivers say they have suffered long traffic queues in the town.

Rossendale Council chiefs say complaints have been flooding in since the lights were reactivated on November 19.

And traders and residents have called for the retention of a temporary mini-roundabout in a bid to improve traffic flow.

The mini-roundabout replaced the traffic lights for six weeks while essential underground gas works were being done.

But the lights have been reactivated against the wishes of the traders and residents.

Leader of the Council Peter Steen has written to Lancashire County Council to support the views of local people.

He said: "The congestion problems have once again become a major problem in the centre of Waterfoot with the removal of the mini-roundabout, and we have received a number of complaints from members of the public, businesses and delivery companies.

"The council would like to see the mini-roundabout reintroduced permanently.

"We fully understand pedestrian facilities are a factor. However, we are requesting that a review be undertaken by Lancashire County Council of their decision to remove the mini-roundabout." Steve Taylor, owner of Steve's Greengrocers in Bacup Road, said: "Lancashire County Council have spent thousands of pounds conducting traffic surveys to help identify a solution to the problem.

"To date they haven't found any answers and were even looking at spending millions on a by-pass because the traffic is so bad.

"When they installed the temporary roundabout they stumbled across the perfect solution by accident.

"I think it's time the people at county hall, who probably have never been to Waterfoot, took a serious look at this and retained the roundabout."

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said research into possible solutions were taking place.

He added: "Although traffic queues in the area were reduced by the mini-roundabout the facility has no provision for pedestrians so it was decided to re-activate the traffic lights for safety reasons."