A ROAD closure plan which faced a storm of protest has been put on hold.

Lancashire County Council was due to put a gate at one end of Simonstone Lane on November 24, in an effort to reduce accidents, but the decision has now been suspended until January.

The ambulance service claimed it had not been consulted and district manager John Marsden said the closure of the road would threaten lives.

He said it would add four to five minutes to call-out times for ambulances from Altham travelling to Whalley, Clitheroe, Read, Simonstone and Sabden and any gate would still add extra minutes.

Mr Marsden said he was pleased county had a rethink and said it was good news.

Ramon Bell, owner of the Simonstone Hotel, feared it would threaten his business because people would not drive round to the other entrance.

Despite the objections, earlier this week Lancashire County Council was still set to go ahead with the temporary closure, but now a spokeswoman said it had been delayed.

She said: "We will be reporting back to the highway and transportation committee in January which will allow us time for further discussions with the emergency services."

The controversial plan was considered because parish councils asked for traffic calming measures on the road.

County Hall said there had not been enough accidents to justify a scheme and there was no funding available.

But it was decided to take action and initial plans to close the road permanently were amended to a temporary closure using a locked gate.

Mr Bell said: "It is a victory for common sense. County has realised it is not as clear cut as it seems."

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