PROPOSALS to improve transport links between Rawtenstall and Bacup are going out to public consultation.

Rossendale Borough Council, Lancashire County Council and the Bacup and Stacksteads Community Partnerships are carrying out a review of transport along the A681 corridor between the two towns.

Its purpose is to improve accessibility along the route which will support the regeneration of Stacksteads and Bacup.

The main problems are traffic congestion in Waterfoot, poor quality of bus stops, poor public transport provision for residential areas, lack of safe crossing facilities, high demand for on-street parking and a lack of safe cycling routes.

Proposed improvements include upgrading bus stops along the route, redeveloping the bus station in Rawtenstall and new pedestrian crossing facilities in Hareholme, Stacksteads and on Market Street in Bacup.

Three different schemes are also being considered to relieve congestion in Waterfoot, including cycle and bus only routes and a possible one-way system in the town centre.

Barry Drelincourt, operations director for Rossendale Transport, said: "We fully support these proposals. We have already invested in eighteen new buses for this route and any improvements to further enhance public transport are to be welcomed."

Exhibitions showing the measures, together with question and answer sessions, will next week be held as part of the public consultation process.

They will be at The St James Centre, 8 St James Square, Bacup, from 3-7pm on Tuesday; Waterfoot Neighbourhood Office, Bridge End House, Bacup Road, Waterfoot from 3-7pm on Wednesday, and at 29, Kay Street (formerly Rossendale Enterprise Trust offices), Rawtenstall from 3-7pm on Thursday.

A second phase of consultation will take place later in the year.