TRADERS in Waterfoot have called for a temporary roundabout to stay to improve traffic flow.

The mini-roundabout replaced traffic lights in Bacup Road for six weeks for essential underground gas works.

But it now it has been completed, traders feel the obstacle is the answer to their road nightmares.

Steve Taylor, owner of Steve's Greengrocers, said: "Lancashire County Council spent thousands of pounds conducting surveys to help identify a solution. To date they haven't found any answers and were even looking at spending millions on a by-pass.

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

Tim Stannard, owner of Tim's Chip Stop, added: "Everybody has noticed the traffic has been moving freely all day long, it's great and is the answer we've all been looking for."

And Christine Moffatt, owner of Headmasters Hair and Beauty Salon, said: "During rush hour it can take more than half an hour just to travel a couple of miles because it gets so congested.

"Since the roundabout has been in action we haven't had that problem."

The calls have also drawn support from David Hancock, Whitewell councillor, who vowed to put pressure on highways bosses to keep the roundabout.

He said: "We might have come across it accidentally but when we think about all the talks that went on about the by-pass then it makes perfect sense."

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "The roundabout was temporarily installed during gas mains works through Waterfoot Centre, which have now been completed.

"Lancashire County Council will continue to research ways of improving traffic flow through the busy area of Waterfoot Centre whilst continuing to address the needs of the pedestrian road users."