PLANS for a new bus station in Accrington have not been well thought out, claims Hyndburn Council's opposition leader.

Labour leader Jean Battle says a new facility - proposed this week for land between Edgar Street, Union Street and School Street - would cause greater traffic congestion on the nearby roundabout.

She also says the site is too small and too far from the town's train station to provide effective transport integration.

But a spokesman for market traders in the town has welcomed plans, which are at an early stage.

Part of the proposed site for a new bus station is currently occupied by a car park with nearly 100 spaces, and Coun Battle said those spaces would have to be replaced.

The bus station is on Peel Street, and there have been concerns since a woman died after she was trapped under a bus in October.

Last month, police launched a blitz on parking in the town centre, including the area around the bus station.

Last year, plans for a new bus station on land in Eagle Street, near the train station, were put forward but have since been dismissed.

Plans for the new facility were drawn up by Roman Strzala who was commissioned by the county council to find a new site for the town's bus station.

Mr Strzala designed the award-winning stations in Burnley and Chorley.

It is hoped funding would come from Lancashire County Council.

Coun Battle said: "Surely it makes more sense to have the bus station near the railway station.

"To me it's too small a space. Then there's the congestion issue on the roundabout - that's bad at certain times of the day. We do need a new bus station but we need it in the right place. In the 21st century we need a purpose built site, not something stuck between buildings like that. It doesn't make sense.

"We are going to lose car parking so where are we going to displace that to? It needs looking at in more detail."

Council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "It's certainly nearer to the train station than the one we have got, and with any project like this you can only work with the land that's available."

Neville Singer, chairman of the Market Tenants' Association, said: "I think it's a good idea. We won't have the buses stopping near the market pumping diesel fumes out."