PLANS to build a new bus station in Rossendale have been delayed pending a Government review.

Last year Valley bus passengers were given a choice over designs for Rawtenstall’s new £3m public transport interchange, but the next phase of the project has yet to start.

Now bosses at the county council have conceded the new development is not guaranteed until the new Government gives it its backing.

Lancashire County Coun Tim Ashton, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Like all major transport schemes in the UK, the bus station will be subject to the Government’s comprehensive review of transport spending.

"The county council has a number of large projects, also including the Heysham Link and Pennine Reach, which will be looked at by the Government.

“The county council will need to look at its priorities for transport expenditure once it knows the full impact of the Autumn Comprehensive Spending Review.”

Consultations between county council officers and members of the public took place in Rawtenstall in September but campaigners for the station fear the project may not get off the ground now.

Retired businessman Leonard Entwistle, 67, petitioned for a new bus interchange in his bid to become an elected mayor earlier this year.

The former Longholme councillor said: “We are completely in the dark about what is going on with the new bus station.

“I believe that the county council is going at it half-baked and if we are not careful, the whole thing will stand still.

“We need a facility that will incorporate rail, coach, bus, taxi and private car space including a large area for long-term parking.”

The county council also confirmed that Rossendale borough council was reviewing the Valley Centre as a possible option to locate a new bus station.

Mr Entwistle has urged council bosses to disregard that proposal.

He said: “I don’t understand why they have brought in consultants to look at the Valley Centre for a new bus interchange, it is just not feasible.

“Like the current bus station facility in Rossendale, there will be no parking and no room for a bus-to-train interchange.

Talks regarding a replacement bus station for Rawtenstall have been ongoing for nearly 30 years.