Traffic chaos at the proposed new site of the Royal Lancashire Show could lead to tragedy if it hampers emergency service vehicles, campaigners have warned.
Members of the Barton and Myerscough Action Group are striving to stop Duchy land in Myerscough, near Preston, being used as a temporary show ground for the event from next year.
Up to 50,000 are expected to attend over three days – 40,000 of them in cars – and residents fear it will trigger meltdown on north Preston's already congested highways.
They claim queuing traffic could block emergency vehicles coming from Lancashire Fire and Rescue's HQ in Fulwood and the Lancashire Ambulance Service base in Broughton.
And they say the Duchy's traffic management plan does not go far enough.
Group member Keith McKernan said: "One of the points the traffic plan makes is they have provided a route for emergencies – a quarter of a mile route on White Horse Lane – which is one of the boundaries to the show site.
"But this route only goes from Gate E to where the road meets the A6, then they're back in the traffic again. They have not made any contingency for that."
The group has distributed 2,500 leaflets to homes in the areas included in the road routes identified by the Duchy of Lancaster's traffic plan to support the scheme.
Signs have also been posted at roadsides urging motorists to register their objections.
Wyre Council must decide whether the showground can go ahead, but Preston and Fylde Councils will be consulted.
A report from Preston planning officers, ahead of the matter being discussed at a planning meeting on December 3, has recommended no objections.
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