COUNTY Council bosses will be accepting comments on the plans for a Colne Bypass for an extra week.

The consultation was due to finish on Friday, but comments will now be accepted until this Friday.

Pendle County Coun Paul White wrote to county hall bosses this week urging them to extend the consultation.

County Coun Jenny Mein, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: "A possible new route for the longstanding proposal for a A56 Colne to Foulridge bypass features as part of a much wider transport strategy which is the first step towards ensuring current congestion problems don't hinder future economic growth in East Lancashire.

"Before the consultation began, Coun White had expressed an interest in the masterplanning process and been invited to view the document as well as receiving an invitation to a briefing for councillors.

“I'd like to reassure people that the routes in the current plan are only indicative and we need to do a lot more work to establish the need for a bypass, including which, if any, of the various route options to take forward, before we'll be in a position to consult meaningfully in more detail with residents and businesses who could be affected.

“The timescales we're working to are important if we're to take full advantage of potential funding to improve transport across East Lancashire, but equally we will give time to consider what people have to say and will accept comments on the plan for a further week, until December 13.”