ROADS in East Lancashire are to benefit from over £8million investment this year, the county council has announced.

Highways chiefs at Lancashire County Council are spending £56.7million on improvements to the county’s roads, footpaths, cycleways, street lighting, bridges and road safety this year.

And £23million of that will be shared between the districts to carry out schemes on a local level.

County Coun John Fillis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “At a time when we are seeing unprecedented Government cuts made to our budget and local economy in Lancashire it is more important than ever to ensure that we are working to improve the lives of ordinary people in our County and the communities in which they live.

“Our highways and transport network are the veins that keep the heart of Lancashire pumping, whether it’s work, education, family or social mobility it's important and we are making a clear commitment to maintain and improve these life lines.

“This is the first stage of our improvement programme that will be part of the long term development in keeping with the Master Plans we have put together to provide the people of Lancashire with a fully integrated transport system that works for them.”

Ribble Valley is to receive £2.5million, Rossendale £2.1million, Burnley £1.6million, Pendle £1.3million and Hyndburn £775,000.

West Craven County Coun David Whipp, who has campaigned previously for road repairs to be carried out, said: “The reality is that with the backlog of road repairs you could spend two, three or four times that amount and not catch up due to the parlous condition that our roads and pavements have fallen into.

“But with the shortage of money with cuts biting there is only a fraction of that amount available, so it is good news that we are seeing repairs carried out.”