A NURSERY which feared plans to build a water treatment works and underground reservoir in Lostock would be "an accident waiting to happen" has secured victory after traffic restrictions were approved.

Children, staff and parents from Meadow Hill nursery all breathed a sigh of relief after councillors agreed that construction lorries would be banned from tearing past the nursery and must now use Lostock Lane, not Chorley New Road.

"This is a massive victory for the nursery, we are delighted," said owner Sue Biggs, who has spent a lot of time and money fighting to secure the safety of the children.

"We also have a parent action group which has been involved in the fight and they have been wonderful.

"But we should never have had this in the first place."

Councillors gave the green light to the £12 million development by water company United Utilities, which will meet a vital need for a purification plant in the area and is part of a £3billion water investment plan across the region.

The plans have now gone to the Local Government Office for them to decide if they must first be seen by the Secretary of State because it encroaches on the green belt.

But United Utilities have satisfied the council that there is nowhere else suitable for the treatment works, which must be near to the Thirlmere Aquaduct.

There were also worries about permanent delivery vehicles after the site is built.

Planning officers recommended that these vehicles to the plant can only access the site before 7.30am, between 10am and 2pm, and after 6.30pm and that a crash barrier be built at the side of the nursery. This was also supported by the planning committee.

But a further request by the nursery to stop the deliveries having access to the site between 10am and 2pm was not supported by councillors.