WEAKNESSES have been found on a busy main road, but plans to ban large vehicles could run into heavy opposition.

The faults have been identified on a bridge in Newchurch Road, Rawtenstall, near its junction with Millgate Road. The road, which leads to the traffic lights at Rawtenstall market, runs past a furniture removal depot and is also a major bus route.

Lancashire County Council wants to impose a three-tonne limit on the bridge, but Rossendale engineers say the restrictions could seriously harm the town centre and local industry. They are urging local councillors to oppose the proposed ban and insist the county council carries out a full traffic impact assessment on the effects of a weight restriction.

County highways staff have drawn up a scheme to strengthen the bridge but it has so far failed to win government funding. Rossendale's engineering and planning committee will be asked for its views on Monday.

A report to the committee says that public transport services would be badly affected by the weight restriction as the road is a major bus route to and from the town centre.

Engineers believe diverting traffic along Bacup Road and Burnley Road East would cause even more problems on an already congested route and encourage drivers to find their own rat runs.

They add that any order would need police enforcement as it would be impossible to install any physical barriers preventing large vehicles from using the road.

The report concludes: "The cumulative effect would be to harm the economic viability of Rawtenstall town centre and local industry."

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