COUNCILLORS in Nelson have won their fight to keep one of the town's main roads open under plans to build a new flagship interchange.

As part of plans to build the new £5million bus and rail interchange Lancashire County Council (LCC) proposed to close Railway Street between Broadway and Netherfield Road.

However, councillors in the town feared this would lead to traffic chaos and impact on trade.

Now following a meeting between the council officers at the two authorities, LCC has agreed to come up with a new scheme keeping the main route open.

Coun Tony Martin, the county's transport boss, confirmed the rumours Railway Street would not be closed were true.

He said: "Officers had a meeting with Pendle and heard councillors would like to keep Railway Street open for regeneration purposes.

"We have said we will work up a scheme that will keep Railway Street open.

"We were more than happy to listen to our district council colleagues."

The new interchange will transform Nelson's ageing transport facilities into a modern one-site centre.

It will be built on land bounded by Broadway, Hibson Road, Railway Street, the railway line and land adjoining Railway Street to the south of the railway line.

It will include a covered concourse leading to nine bus bays, a direct link to the rail station with new lift and staircase, a rail station revamp, electronic passenger information, new retail facilities, taxi and car drop-off points and new CCTV.

Coun David Foster, chairman of the Nelson Committee said: "We are now looking forward to hearing formally from the county council, which will allow Pendle Council to press ahead with its side of the preparations for the new bus station and interchange."