HIGHWAYS bosses have left drivers baffled after promoting a country road to an A-class route - without telling anyone.

Motorists using the new multi-million pound stretch of the M65 are left facing a confusing sign stating the name of a road which does not yet exist on any maps.

But today a spokesman for The Highways Agency said the misunderstanding had occurred because Lancashire County Council were in the process of upgrading the B6232 Grane Road between Blackburn and Haslingden.

Drivers exiting the M65 at Guide are directed to Haslingden along the A6177 - not the B6232.

Heath Whalley, 31, who lives next to the Grane Road, in Kendal Row, Belthorn, said he has been stopped by dozens of puzzled drivers looking for the link road to the M66.

He added: "I tell them: You're on it. "I have lived in this road for 30 years and do not recall any work to upgrade it to an A road.

"I spoke to someone at the Highways Agency who said they can pretty much do what they want when it comes to naming roads.

"It's amazing that they can get away with this in an area where you need planning permission to build a kennel."

A Highways Agency spokesman said the sign stating A6177 had been painted on the instruction of Lancashire County Council, who act as local agents.

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said people had not been notified of the change because they were unsure when the M65 extension would be opened.

He added: "Now that it is open, we will be altering all of the signs accordingly.

"The B6232 has been re-designated."

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