DEMONSTRATORS are planning a protest which could disrupt afternoon rush-hour traffic in Lancaster, today, Friday.

The protest group Critical Mass say they are organising a 'bike and skate carnival' demonstration starting at 4.30pm in Dalton Square.

Previous protests of a similar nature have seen cyclists riding at slow speeds around the one-way system causing traffic to come to a standstill.

The protest is against proposals for a new road, supermarket and retail units around the old Mitchell's Brewery site in the city centre.

The demonstrators are angry that the plan, submitted by CR Chelverton Properties and the Liberty Group will destroy the tranquility of the area and could lead to the scrapping of a city council development brief that the area be rejuvenated as a 'cultural quarter'.

musicians

There has already been strong opposition to the possible threat to Lancaster Music Co-op, on the fringes of the development site, which it is feared could be swallowed up in any expansion of the Chelverton plans.

The Critical Mass web-site encourages protesters to "bring bikes, skates and wheely things" to the protest and contains sample letters for people to download and send to Chelverton to register their disapproval.  

The website also says: "Supermarkets destroy the local economy Small retailers go out of business, delivery lorries clog up town centres, profits are siphoned out of the local area.

"The proposed 'canal road' will destroy the tranquility of the canal enjoyed by Lancastrians and visitors alike.

"We do not need another road bringing more cars, pollution and congestion into our city centre."

A spokesperson for the police events planning department said: "We are aware of the planned demonstration and we are taking steps to ensure that it takes place peacefully, although it may cause some inconvenience."

Lancaster City Council has echoed its earlier reassurances to supporters of the Musicians' Co-op. Earlier this month the council wrote to the organisation to "clarify" the current situation.

The council said at that time it recognised the valuable contribution the Co-op has made to the area's cultural scene and that its head of property services had already recommended that the premises should not be currently considered for disposal.

Last week the regeneration review board, which is responsible for cultural services, discussed the issue and added its support to retaining the Co-op,

The board also expressed its commitment to ensure that should any development take place in that area at any time in the future, the council would guarantee a suitable alternative venue.