A £30million scheme to end years of traffic congestion in Colne will go out to consultation in a series of community exhibitions next month.

The Colne/Thornton-in-Craven by-pass proposals have already sparked controversy. People appealing for relief from end-of-motorway snarl-ups on Colne's North Valley are opposed by environmentalists, who say the destruction of land on the route of the road corridor can not be justified.

Lancashire and North Yorkshire county councils have linked to seek public opinion to help produce a transport strategy for the A56 corridor for inclusion in transport plans.

They have produced a consultation brochure detailing congestion problems and options.

A series of exhibitions have also been arranged in Colne and the villages affected by the proposals.

Lancashire's Highways chairman Richard Toon said: "This is the public's chance to tell Lancashire and North Yorkshire councils what they think. For years there has been congestion in the North Valley area of Colne and this has a significant environmental impact, not only in Colne but also the surrounding villages." Last year a county report on the plans to relieve the log-jam at the end of the M65 with the by-pass, said work could not start until 2002 at the earliest - even if millions of pounds funding could be found.

Soundings with the private sector indicate the scheme would be a viable public/private partnership, allowing private companies to build, finance and operate the road.

But interested firms say they would not become involved until planning hurdles had been overcome.

The consultation exhibitions are: 10.0am -8.30pm: February 1, Colne Municipal Hall; February 2, Foulridge Village Hall; February 3, Kelbrook and Sough Village Hall; February 4, Earby New Road Community Centre.

10am-4.0pm: February 5, Thornton-in-Craven Village Hall.

Response forms included in brochures, available at libraries and post officer, should either be handed in at the exhibitions or posted to Lancashire County Council by February 28.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.