A BLACKPOOL pressure group fighting the planned overhaul of bus routes is vowing to continue its battle, even though council chiefs have given the scheme their full backing.

Eric Dodymeade, a resident of Reades Avenue in Blackpool and leader of the Whinpark Residents Association, told The Citizen that the Whinpark Quality Bus Scheme -- aimed at improving bus services -- will cause havoc on the roads for both motorists and emergency vehicles.

But at a meeting of Blackpool Borough Council's executive committee on February 21 councillors gave the green light to the modifications.

Whinpark Quality Bus Scheme, in conjunction with Blackpool Transport and Blackpool Borough Council, will involve paving the junction of North Park Drive and East Park Drive, making Whinney Heys Road and Whinpark Avenue one way only, and installing two mini roundabouts at the junction of Grange Road and St Walburga's Road.

Eric said: "The changes are ridiculous. They are meant to improve the flow of traffic along East Park Drive but traffic won't be able to access Whinpark Avenue from North Park Drive because the end will be paved over, nor from East Park Drive because it will be one way traffic. "This means there will be a constant flow towards Four Lane Ends island, therefore more congestion on the other roads approaching the island."

Eric and some 80 other residents held a public meeting at Blackpool Zoo to draw up a list of objections, after which they asked the council for a copy of the risk assessment for the scheme and the consultant's design report, but this was refused.

John Shaw, chief engineer for Blackpool Borough Council, said he was confident the scheme will live up to expectations despite the objections.

He said: "The consultants we use are very experienced in their work and, having given advice based on this, I am sure it will be an improvement.

"The traffic lights at the junction of Whinpark Avenue, North Park Drive and East Park Drive are significantly over-capacity at peak hour flows -- more than they were ever designed for. Paving over the junction of North Park Drive and East Park Drive will reduce waiting for traffic lights, thus improving the flow of traffic."

He went on to say that the documents Mr Dodymeade requested were confidential and not available to the public, adding: "We gave sufficient time for people to object and all objections have been considered. The council feels sure the scheme will give significant benefits to motorists using that area."