RESIDENTS in the Longshaw and Higher Croft areas of Blackburn have called on council bosses to ease their traffic nightmare.

Locals say a series of new developments in the area, including the Queen's Park Hospital extension, the JJB soccerdome and developments at the Walker Industrial Park, are creating traffic problems.

Civic leaders from Blackburn with Darwen Council have pledged to act.

The calls were made at a packed public meeting at Longshaw Community Centre.

Graham Burgess, the council's director of regeneration, told the residents about progress on traffic schemes in the area, including a crossing and traffic-calming measures in Manxman Road and a 20 mph limit in Newfield Drive early next year.

But residents at the six-monthly community meeting, chaired by council leader Coun Kate Hollern, felt more still needed to be done about the traffic problems.

Rita Adams, of Haslingden Road, has handed over three petitions to the council, relating to the increased traffic. And she pointed out the expansion of the Shadsworth Industrial Estate had already made Haslingden Road a traffic hotspot.

Mrs Adams said: "There is a big problem with traffic, especially Haslingden Road, because of the hospital and housing developments which are causing problems.

"We have been trying for the last two years to get something done but it's still as bad." But Mr Burgess said: "I am aware of the petitions and believe that part of it is that people who should be parking in the hospital are avoiding paying £1 and are blocking the road

"The council is conducting a survey to respond to the petitions. Councillors Dorothy Walsh and Andy Kay are aware of the argument and are making similar arguments on residents' behalf.

"A lot of work on traffic has been carried out since the last meeting so, hopefully, that will build up trust that we will respond in a serious way."

Beverley Fielding, of Lindisfarne Avenue, near Manxman Road, said traffic had more than doubled near her home and Kevin Fox, of Blackamoor Road, asked the council what it intended to do to reduce traffic.

He said: "Haslingden Road has become a main spine road to feed Blackburn town centre from the motorway and the council has latched on to this by developing every nook and cranny along that road.

"Already it takes 20 minutes in my car from Blackamoor Road to the hospital, which is totally unacceptable."

Mr Burgess said there was no easy solution to the problem and it was a difficult balance between creating jobs and leisure in the area and keeping traffic under control.