A MAJOR bottleneck for traffic in Colne could be eased when a new £600,000 roundabout is built.

The junction of Byron Road and Skipton Road has caused traffic congestion for people travelling to and from North Yorkshire for years.

But Lancashire County Council now plans to widen the junction and replace traffic lights with a roundabout to ease traffic flow.

Coun Jean Yates, the council's cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: "We need to do whatever we can to relieve this busy junction- and we believe building a roundabout will ease the traffic flow.

"Everyone who knows the area is aware that action is needed and we expect work to begin by late February - and hopefully sooner.

"It is not only motorists who will gain, as residents have had to live with a poor situation for far too long."

The new roundabout will lead to a wider junction and Lancashire County Council staff have agreements in hand on acquiring extra land.

Parking restrictions will also be introduced for residents on the east side of Skipton Road. New restrictions will see a ban on parking outside houses on that side of the road between 8am and 6.30pm, from Monday to Friday.

Coun Yates added: "We consulted with residents on the parking restrictions and believe we have got the balance right between possible inconvenience and quality of life.

"We will monitor the restrictions and then amend them if necessary."

Some traffic delays will be inevitable between late February and the completion date of July but county council staff say they will do their best to ensure they are minimised.