A COUNCIL'S new standards watchdog has been asked to investigate claims made in a Labour Party election leaflet over a proposed "by-pass" through a residential area.

Liberal election agent Tony Greaves has asked Pendle Council's chief executive Stephen Barnes to refer the matter to the authority's new standards committee, which has been set up to police the ethics and standards of councillors and council officials.

Mr Greaves said Labour pre-election claims that a new road would be driven between Colne and Nelson, parallel to Burnley Road, through Briercliffe Avenue caused fear and alarm among local residents. They feared houses in Briercliffe Avenue and adjacent streets such as Gibfield Road would have to be demolished.

The Liberals said such claims were totally untrue.

The issue of a "by-pass" was raised some months ago because of proposals to build houses in Gib Hill, an area of land between Colne and Nelson, which opponents said would create a "rat run" which drivers could use to by-pass busy Burnley Road.

The "by-pass" claims were made in a Labour leaflet sent out the day before the local elections on May 6. The leaflet was published and issued by Labour councillor Tim Ormrod.

Coun Ormrod argued: "A proposed scheme has been known about for some time, dating back to 1995/96.

"It included a link road from Whitewalls Drive up Briercliffe Road to link with a parallel road between Colne and Nelson. I've seen the plans."

Mr Greaves added: "If the new standards committee means anything at all, it means that members of the council should uphold high standards of decency and truth when providing information about council matters to residents.

"A Pendle councillor has told residents that there is a secret plan when no such plan exists. That action has caused a lot of concern, upset and alarm."

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