A MARKET trader has told how Burnley's current traffic problems were first predicted four years ago.

Paddy Brady, of Brady's Flowers, in Burnley Market, said the current problems on Curzon Street and Active Way were predicted in 1998 during a public inquiry into planning permission for the closure of a number of town centre routes.

Great Portland Estates had at the time requested the closure of Bethesda Street, part of Curzon Street and Brick Street to extend the town's pedestrianised area so more shops could be built.

Despite a traders' petition and numerous representations against the scheme it went ahead.

During the inquiry, Mr Brady represented market traders' views as secretary of the Burnley Market Hall Tenants Association.

The group feared the road closures would hamper access to the market service area and cause a backlog of traffic on to Bankfield and reroute incoming vehicles on to Active Way, which was already backlogged.

Mr Brady said the predictions had come true and that the market was now in decline just days after Burnley's Chamber of Trade feared the town was losing business as its main in-roads were log-jammed.

Mr Brady went on: "Where are our county councillors? Why haven't they done anything about it?

"They should have pedestrianised the bridge over Active Way. We spent three days at that public enquiry.

"We told them about these traffic problems years ago but nobody listens. We're going to be left in a situation in a few years time when people will say 'we had a lovely market at one time.'"

A county council spokesman said: "There have been major developments in the town centre which do have implications for traffic management.

"The borough council is aware of these difficulties as are ourselves. The borough council feel now these developments have settled down it is the time to look at the whole issue and proposals together.

"We are more than happy to take part in this. The 1998 inquiry report was conducted by the developer and is not really central to that."