AN MP has accused water officials of having a "cavalier attitude" after traders were given no warning about the latest roadworks to hit Rawtenstall town centre.

Rossendale and Darwen MP Janet Anderson has taken up the case of the Rawtenstall Chamber of Commerce which is angry at the way the organisation has been treated by United Utilities, which is carrying out main replacement work on the length of Bank Street.

President of the Chamber of Commerce Debbie Greenwood said: "We knew nothing about the works that were to be carried out until we insisted on having a meeting with United Utilities. They had not informed us." Half of the five-week programme of work is completed.

In a letter to John Roberts, United Utilities chief executive, Mrs Anderson said: "I cannot overemphasise the disruption this causes to businesses in Bank Street.

"However, my purpose in writing to you is to let you know how angry members of the Chamber of Commerce are about the apparent unwillingness of United Utilities to consult and liaise with local businesses.

"They tell me that the 'take it or leave it' attitude which they experience from United Utilities is in stark contrast to the approach of the county council, who go to immense trouble to inform and consult well in advance of the commencement of such works and to secure the agreement of all who are likely to be affected.

"I should be glad to know whether you will review, as a matter of urgency your procedures and the cavalier attitude of your staff in such cases."

Mrs Anderson is calling for a senior member of United Utilities to meet with her and representatives of the traders to set in place arrangements for any future works so that the community is consulted and informed.

A spokeswoman for United Utilities said the company would be happy to meet with Mrs Anderson and representatives of the traders.

But she said the current work is being carried out on weekends and nights and so was likely to be finished two weeks' ahead of its October 28 schedule.

She said: "It is part of a £9.7million investment in Rossendale to replace old unlined cast iron mains with hard-wearing plastic ones to reduce iron levels in water."

She said the company had been ordered to carry out the work before the end of October and it had been arranged hastily.