THE public inquiry into the controversial Colne-Foulridge by-pass has been set for Tuesday August 5. Lancashire County Council is sending letters confirming the date to all interested parties. The news means that Pendle MP Gordon Prentice has failed in his attempt to have the inquiry postponed until the effect of the M65 extension can be assessed.
The motorway now links up with the M6 in Preston, and there are fears that the likely extra vehicles coming through Colne could cause bottlenecks in Kelbrook if they are routed there by the bypass.
Mr Prentice met villagers earlier this year and told them he would give evidence at the inquiry after listening to the views of local people.
Speaking from Westminster this week the MP said: "I sought to have the inquiry postponed for a few months to allow people to assess the impact of the M65-M6 link-up in November.
"Unfortunately that was not legally possible so we will all have to rely on projections and estimates from the county council about the future volume of traffic.
"The inquiry raises issues which have an importance beyond Pendle."
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article