PLANS to open a convenience store in Accrington have been refused over concerns it would cause traffic chaos.

The application to build the single storey shop on the site of a garage behind 207 Whalley Road was rejected by councillors as ‘crazy’.

Councillors said they would have created an 'accident blackspot' close to Accrington Victoria Hospital had they approved the scheme near the Queen's Road junction.

The store, which would have opened between 8am until 7pm seven days a week, was turned down by councillors over congestion fears.

They said any additional traffic could see a fatality on the stretch which is close to Accrington Academy and St Christopher's high schools.

Councillors heavily criticised Lancashire County Council’s Highways Department for not lodging an objection.

Mayor Malcolm Pritchard also attended the meeting to object, despite having to be politically neutral in his role.

But the mayor said: “I felt moved to protest. It must be refused on highways grounds.

"We have been talking to LCC to get double yellow lines painted as the problems are severe.

"They will be going down before long but it shows the problems that exist.

"This shop would be 20 metres from the traffic lights and it would cause chaos. It is very dangerous, and we could see a fatality”.

Anthony Flanagan representing the applicant at the meeting said the owner would carry out cash and carry runs in his own vehicle.

He said: “The shop is to serve the community for everyday use."

But Coun Collette McCormack said: “It’s a dangerous junction and always congested. Anyone living in the area would be amazed, as I am, that we are even considering it.”

Coun Doug Hayes said: “It is down to us again to do LCC’s job and consider the highways implications”.

Coun Tim O’Kane added: “You don’t build something like this that close to a junction. We will be creating an accident black spot right next to the hospital."

In a report, LCC highways said they considered then application to be acceptable from a highway safety and car parking point of view.

Borough councillors however voted to refuse the application on highways grounds.