LANCASTER'S transport policy will be used as an example of how not to do it by a leading national charity.

Friends of the Earth say that Lancaster, along with Hastings on the south coast, are suffering because local councils are determined to push through badly planned bypasses.

Tony Bosworth, of Friends of the Earth's climate and transport team, visited the area this week to examine the impact of the Lancashire County Council plans.

He will now use the city as a national example of poor transport planning.

He said: "The Lancaster Bypass is a deeply flawed proposal. It would only bring about a very small and temporary reduction in city centre traffic, it would have a severe impact on wildlife and the landscape of the Lune Estuary, and non-road alternatives have not been properly considered.

"I am also very concerned about assumptions that this road would benefit Morecambe -- it seems likely that more money would be drawn out of the resort by a new road than attracted in.

"Campaigns such as Newbury and Twyford Down helped expose the folly of major new road-building. Lancaster should not now have to suffer the same fate."

Anne Chapman, co-ordinator for North Lancs Friends of the Earth, added: "We are delighted that the unsuitability of the Lancaster Bypass has been recognised nationally.

"Two public inquiry reports have supported the case against this road, yet most local politicians have not listened.

"I hope the involvement of a high-profile national organisation will help get the road thrown out for good.

"The quicker this happens the better, because only then will everyone work together to develop solutions to Lancaster's traffic and Morecambe's economic problems."