TRADERS claim a delay in traffic plans round Burnley's new bus station could be threatening their businesses.

President of the town's Chamber of Trade, Rita Walsh, claims the scheme could have been finalised months ago.

Mrs Walsh said: "Burnley Borough Council has, largely, been very sympathetic and have listened to what we have had to say.

"Lancashire County Council is more difficult to deal with. It moves very slowly and reacts very slowly."

Earlier in the year the chamber objected to the original proposals for a traffic scheme. Members were worried the plans could affect trade.

Revised proposals for traffic around the new £2.3m station include:

Loading bays on the north-west side of Croft Street, one outside Farmfoods and the other outside Kwik Save.

A 10-minute minute waiting bay on the south-east side of Croft Street for use by the public as a "dropping off" point.

Bus stops for school buses on the south-east side of Croft Street in the existing lay-by near red Lion Street.

Making Croft Street one way only for vehicles from a point near to number 19 croft Street to its junction with Red Lion Street, direction of travel being northeast to southwest.

Two-way traffic on Croft Street from Yorkshire Street to a point adjacent to number 129.

The remainder of Croft Street to be subjected to a "no loading/unloading" ban on both sides from Yorkshire Street to Red Lion Street.

Mrs Walsh added: "The risk is that the problems sort themselves out because people stop coming into Burnley.

"Shoppers start by-passing the town and going elsewhere. Nobody wants that situation to arise, but Lancashire County Council seems to be a bit less aware of the problem than Burnley Borough Council."

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "We can encourage Burnley Borough Council as to what it wants to implement in their area, but the final decision is down to it."

Latest proposals are on the agenda of Burnley Council's traffic committee next week.

Gordon Leighton, of the environment and transport team said: "We are working with everybody to try to find a solution that works and that everyone is happy with.

"For many, many years we have had a problem on Croft Street with parking which meant that buses were unable to get out.

"The only way to prevent it would be to put double yellow lines down and that would prevent traders loading and unloading.

"We are aware that traders need access for their shops at the front and hopefully these latest plans will allow that."

Legal obligations mean that if plans are given the go-ahead it will be at least three months before they are implemented.

If objections are raised again, it could mean a wait of over a year.

While construction work was in progress a temporary one-way system around the bus station caused confusion and led to angry protest from shoppers and traders.

Mr Leighton added that he had not received any objections from bus company operating out of the new bus station. A spokesman for Burnley and Pendle Bus Company said he was unaware of any problems.