LABOUR councillors refused to support a motion urging support for a new bypass to alleviate traffic congestion on Blackburn Road.

The motion was tabled by Astley Bridge councillor John Walsh at a meeting of the full council on Wednesday night.

But all Labour councillors - with the exception of Bilkis Ismail - voted against it, many citing the 'party political' and 'partisan' nature of the motion.

Cllr Walsh accused Labour of a history of failing to back a number of schemes aimed at easing traffic problems in the north east of the borough - claims disputed by Cllr David Chadwick, cabinet member for highways and transport.

And he also criticised the controlling group for not supporting Conservative proposals to seek funding from the government's bypasses programme.

Cllr Walsh, called on the council to support his motion of 'beginning the process to design and seek funding from the combined authority, the government and all other sources to build this long overdue and vital access to the north of the borough, and in doing so, also relieve congestion through wards including Tonge with the Haulgh, Halliwell and Crompton'.

Fellow Conservative Paul Wild spoke inn favour of the motion, telling the chamber that while Astley Bridge had grown considerably over the last few decades, the road infrastructure had not improved.

He added: "We need to improve the journey time, the road rage and the frustration."

But while many Labour politicians said they agreed with the 'sentiment' they said the wording made it impossible to support.

Cllr Nick Peel, cabinet member for environmental services, said Cllr Walsh had gone the wrong way about garnering support.

He said: "We can't have individual councillors bringing motions that try to bounce the strategic priorities of this borough based on casework he receives in Astley Bridge.

"What would happen if we all started bringing similar motions?"

Cllr Peel raised the prospect of areas such as Daubhill, Breightmet and Little Lever demanding similar schemes.

He continued: "They are all laudable ideas but that's not how we do things. We can't come in one at a time and demand millions of pounds be committed. We have got to have grown-up planning for the strategic and economic priorities of this borough."

However, he did promise to ask council officers to do 'some further investigation' into the possibility of a bypass.

Conservative leader David Greenhalgh reacted angrily to Labour's refusal to back the motion.

He said: "It's shameful you will not agree to this tonight to start the process. You are the ones hanging minutiae on Cllr Walsh because you think he is an easy target. This is absolutely made in good faith to get the ball rolling to show this is a priority."