PROPOSALS to make Fairfax Road a one-way route, lasting up to 18 months, has caused fury among the business community.

As reported exclusively in last week's Guide, Countryside Properties has applied to Bury Council to close one half of the busy road to traffic so it can complete the controversial nine-storey apartment complex.

It is likely the closure would come into force from July 26 and be in place for 15 to 18 months, affecting traffic travelling from Poppythorn Lane towards Bury New Road.

Fairfax Road would be blocked off to two-way traffic between its junctions with Rectory Lane and Highfield Road.

Motorists travelling along Fairfax Road from Bury New Road will have full access to Rectory Lane and Poppythorn Lane but concerns were raised by Monsignor John Allen, of Our Lady of Grace Church, over the impact on traffic on funeral and wedding days, when vehicles traditionally park outside the church.

Members of Prestwich Business Forum have hit out at the news, claiming the closure will "paralyse Prestwich".

Brian Muir said: "Fairfax Road is already a hugely over-used road, particularly in the direction that this proposal will ban. The diversion will mean placing this traffic onto Besses Junction, St Mary's Road, Park View or Scholes Lane --- moves which will further paralyse Prestwich, particularly at peak times, and add up to two miles to a journey of 200 metres.

"Has the impact on the traders of Prestwich Village been considered at all?" he asked.

His concerns were echoed by Business Forum chairman, Phil Smith, who said: "It is a deplorable situation. It can be of no benefit to anyone, particularly the traders."

Mike Williams, of Prestwich Pharmacy, said: "It will be chaos. Any disruption like this has got to have an effect on local businesses. It will have a detrimental effect on traffic flow and most of the traders on the precinct have already suffered because Prestwich has become a less favourable place to shop, due to all the disruption. It is something once again forced upon us without any consultation."

The subject will be discussed at the Business Forum meeting on Tuesday evening, at the Village Hotel in Prestwich, and has been made an emergency agenda item at Prestwich Area Board's meeting on Monday, at Prestwich Community High School, starting at 7pm. A representative from constructors Carillion has been invited to the area board.

Prestwich councillor Keith Grime added: "I think they should consider using all or part of the car park behind Fads, so they can unload off the public highway."