BUS stops blamed for traffic grid-lock look set to stay after highways bosses decided there is nothing they can do to improve the situation.

Councillors had complained that new bus stops on Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, which jutted out into the road had resulted in cars being unable to pass buses when they had pulled up, often causing long tailbacks. The new bus stops were placed on the street as part of the new Quality Bus Route through Hyndburn and were said to be essential to help keep the buses moving.

A meeting of Oswaldtwistle Area Council last year asked if officers from Lancashire County Council could come and inspect the problems.

At a meeting of the Council this week, County councillor Dorothy Westell said: "The bus stops need to be like that because they are a special height which the bus can drop to, making disabled access easier.

"If they were moved, then residents nearby would lose their parking."

She added: "What we have to remember is that Union Road is a rat run from the motorway and the traffic does need slowing down.

"I appreciate this isn't an ideal situation but it is the best we are going to get." Council leader Peter Britcliffe, who chaired the meeting, hit back, saying: "It is one thing slowing traffic down, it is quite another totally clogging up this road.

When one bus stops, the traffic builds up so quickly that before you know it the whole road is clogged up, often with several buses in that queue.

"I will continue to fight for it."