STREETS could be grassed over to stop drivers using them as rat-runs.

Highways chiefs says the £500,000 plan for Blackburn's North Audley area has the backing of residents.

The idea is to make the car a "guest" not the ruler, but opponents say the project will never work.

A group of councillors are now set to travel to Leeds or Manchester to see pilot schemes in operation. A Blackburn with Darwen council committee is looking at plans to close roads and put traffic-calming measures in place.

Ian Richardson, adviser on highways and transport, revealed grassing over was one of a number of possible options being considered for the "Home Zone" scheme to try and instill a sense of residents' ownership.

The area of the proposed scheme is enclosed by Higher Audley Street, Lower Audley and Newton Street. It was chosen nearly three years ago when council bosses were drawing up plans for the orbital route, much of which opened late last year.

The money will come from government Single Regeneration Bid cash already secured as well as other government grants

Five more Home Zone schemes are at what council chiefs described as the "aspirational" stage.

Coun Ashley Whalley, regeneration boss, said: "Home Zones are about creating a sense of ownership in an area.

"We were aware there could be a problem with people trying to cut out the new junction, but it was an important part of the scheme.

"We have carried out a wide-ranging consultation and people in the area are in support of the scheme."

Ideas being explored also include reducing roads to single lanes, with pavements widened and extra bends put in them to prevent people from speeding, as well as the creation of off-street communal parking places.

Some streets could lose pavements altogether, making drivers slow down because they become aware they are sharing their space with others.

Permit schemes could also be brought into operation to stop people who do not live in the area from travelling through.

Coun Edward Harrison, a Conservative councillor who sits on the panel, said: "People will not want this because it will create crime problems. People leave their cars outside their homes because they feel safe."

But Coun Whalley said: "By promoting ownership and making the streets safer, more people will spend time on them rather than in their own homes.

"That in itself makes the street less prone to crime and helps make the street safer."

The AA said it had reservations about the scheme.