IT'S enough to drive you round the bend. That's the verdict of shopkeepers in St Annes on traffic-calming measures which have recently transformed the Square.

The roadworks are nearly finished, but the legacy lives on and shop owners are being driven crazy by the effects.

Proprietors believe that instead of the original intention of putting the emphasis back on pedestrians, the situation has actually worsened.

Among complaints is the safety aspect of the new scheme and David Norton of Fylde Cameras believes that people do not know where the pavement ends and the road begins, saying: "It is an accident waiting to happen."

One letter to the Citizen said: "St Annes already has the widest pavements in Europe. Why do we need to make them wider?"

Another concern of traders is that there will be a reduction in the number of parking places for shoppers.

Ken Harris, chairman of St Annes Chamber of Trade and Commerce and owner of The Bookshelf, says: "The county council says only three parking places have gone, but that is three too many."

And it appears it is not just shopkeepers who are disgruntled.

David Norton said: "Customers don't like it and I've not heard one good remark.

"The general opinion seems to be it is a bad scheme that has not been well thought out.

"The public wasn't asked - and, after all, it is taxpayers' money."

Mr Harris added: "Taking traffic out of town is not the answer."

The chamber of trade and commerce held a meeting last week and invited a member of the county council to attend, but the offer was declined.

They plan to hold another meeting next week.

A county council spokesman said: "The square in St Annes had a bad accident record and the measures were introduced to make it safer for pedestrians."

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