UPROAR greeted a decision to turn part of Lancaster's bus station into a car park this week. Lancaster City councillors voted unanimously to forge ahead with plans to use land on Damside Street as a short stay car park for the next two years. But members of pressure group Transport 2000 described the decision, which is part of a move to prevent any further development on the site, as a 'whitewash.'

Pressure group Transport 2000 spokesman Pascal Desmond, has continually lobbied councillors against the plans.

He said: "This decision means plans to rejuvenate facilities for bus users have been shelved and more cars will be in the town centre and not to mention the increased danger for pedestrians on Damside Street."

And now Transport 2000 say they are planning to seek legal advice in a bid to conduct a judicial review against the decision which they say goes against Government policy.

"It is difficult to develop a public transport system friendly to an urban area without a proper bus station," Mr Desmond added.

Cllr Pat Rye, chairman of the Transport committee, said using the land as a car park was the best way to deal with it at the moment.

He said: "We want to encourage more people to use public transport. By using the land as a temporary car park it gives us time to see how we can improve the bus station."

The land was formerly used to house market traders while Lancaster's new market was being built.

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