CAMPAIGNERS trying to block the construction of a bypass through their villages are calling for a public inquiry after Lancashire County Council gave it the all-clear.

The modified blue route for the planned Penwortham Bypass extension, which campaigners say will create havoc in the villages of Longton, New Longton and Hutton, was approved by councillors last week.

Now, Link Action, a group of residents opposed to the road's construction, is urging other villagers to write to Robert Atkins, MP for South Ribble, demanding a public inquiry.

Gary Cooke from Link Action said: "We intend to force a public inquiry because we can't understand the completely illogical decision made by the council.

"As far as we can tell from council reports, the blue route is at least £2 million more expensive than the alternative brown route, is less environmentally friendly and would cause more accidents.

"People seem to think a public inquiry will happen as a matter of course - unfortunately that's not true. That's why it is vital they start writing to their local MP."

Mr Atkins had shown concern for the residents' plight in a statement made last week. He said: "The county must not ride roughshod over New Longton's residents or ignore the legitimate environmental pressures."

As well as constituents' complaints passed on by Mr Atkins, more than 600 letters of objection were delivered to Dennis Golden, the chairman of the Highways and Transportation Committee, before the meeting at which the decision was made last week.

Construction of the approved blue route cannot begin until the inquiry into South Ribble Borough Council's Local Plan has been completed. Said Mr Cooke: "Until they start laying the the Tarmac, we will not give up fighting this decision."

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