A FORMER policeman who produced Hyndburn's first detailed maps has drawn up plans for a Clayton-le-Moors bypass to end the area's traffic chaos.

But Adrian Shurmer's proposal has not met with approval from all quarters, with one of the area's councillors labelling it a pie-in-the-sky idea.

However, transport bosses at Lancashire County Council said they would be willing to show the plan to council officers for their assessment.

Mr Shurmer, a former policeman and councillor, said he had become exasperated driving through the jammed Whalley Road from his Great Harwood home every day.

He believes he has found the opportunity for a bypass starting at the Great Harwood border at Hyndburn Road and coming out near the Clayton Business Park several hundred yards from junction seven of the M65.

The dual carriageway would bend behind houses on the Rishton side of Clayton across empty land.

Mr Shurmer, who now runs a driving instruction and consultancy business, said: "There are thousands of people every morning and night getting stuck in the traffic.

"It is just gridlock. It is absolutely unnecessary.

"The solution is simple, though. The bypass would be welcomed by all the people sick to death of the traffic."

But Coun Tim O'Kane, who represents Clayton, said the option was considered in the past and dropped as it would" cost £10million to buy the land, a section of which is part of the Dunkenhalgh estate.

He pointed to controversial proposals for a new road off the M65 through Huncoat and Altham as a much better use of public money that, he believes, would also cut traffic in Clayton.

Coun O'Kane added: "That scheme would have a lot more chance of success than a pie-in-the-sky bypass that has not been costed. Anyone could come up with the idea.

"I would agree that the traffic is very congested. It is a combination of the increased use of cars and people from the Ribble Valley coming through to get on to the M65."

Lancashire County Council bosses were hoping to ease traffic in Clayton with cash secured through the Elevate regeneration project.

But they were disappointed that no cash was allocated for improving transport when the funding was announced.

County councillor Jean Yates, cabinet member for highways, said she was currently working with the East Lancashire Partnership and Elevate to submit future bids for road improvement cash.

She added: "We are aware of the problems on Whalley Road but we are trying to get everything in a strategic transport plan. We are always willing to listen.

"If Mr Shurmer could put his suggestion on a piece of paper, I will show it to council officers."

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "Hyndburn doesn't have that sort of funding. Money from Elevate has not come through for Clayton which has caused tremendous disappointment.

"But it is a good idea which we could discuss, although we would have to see what the people of Clayton thought first.

"I welcome him making the suggestion."