FARNWORTH traders have conceded defeat over a battle to prevent the pedestrianisation of Brackley Street.

Shopkeepers met Bolton Council officers last night in a bid to halt the car ban, fearing the move will lead to a loss of trade and traffic chaos.

But traders emerged convinced the plans would go-ahead despite their objections.

David Dunn, who owns two shoe shops in Brackley Street, said today: "The meeting was all very polite but it seems they are set on this scheme whether we like it or not."

Some shopkeepers also fear pedestrianisation will make access for customers and deliveries more difficult as well as adding to traffic problems on neighbouring Bridgewater Street and King Street.

"We are afraid we will become an island and isolated," said Mr Dunn. In a bid to persuade the council to revise its plans, traders employed town planners Robert Turley Associates to come up with an alternative improvement scheme which would leave the road open for traffic.

The blueprint involves widening the pavements and leaving Brackley Street open to one way traffic as well as implementing traffic calming measures.

Members of the council's highways sub committee meet tomorrow to discuss the alternative plan and traders' objections to the original development, which is scheduled to start in June.

But Mr Dunn said it seemed a formality that shopkeepers would be ignored - and he also slammed councillors for not turning up to last night's meeting.

He said: "They are supposed to represent us, but they don't seem bothered to listen."

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