AN "EYESORE" half-complete bus lane is set to be finished a year behind schedule.

Council bosses said they held talks with McInerney Homes on Thursday to push work forward on the lane at the site of the former Belgrave Mill to bypass the Hardman Way junction in Darwen.

McInerney Homes is creating the lane under the planning conditions for its development of 135 new homes on the site of the mill off Bolton Road.

The original date for completion of the bus lane was given as between April 2006 and March 2007.

Gerry Sweeney, managing director of McInerney Homes North, said: "Our new homes at Belgrave Heights form part of the impressive regeneration of Darwen's town centre and the bus lane is an important element of our investment in the town.

"Work on the retaining wall was delayed whilst approval was sought from the council.

"The retaining wall should be completed in mid February. Allowing the council's contractors three weeks to complete tarmac work and road markings, the bus lane should be open in mid March 2008.

"We regret any difficulties caused but we're confident that the future benefits will greatly out-weigh any short-term inconvenience."

But some local residents are unhappy at the delays.

Mark Graham, who runs a hairdresser's shop opposite the site, said: "We're all fed up with looking at it.

"The customers all say that they want it finished as soon as possible and so do I. It's an eyesore."

Coun Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration, said that under the development agreement with McInerney Homes, the council arranged for the bus lane to be constructed and the developer paid for it.

He said: "The delay in completing the bus lane is down to the length of time it has taken the developer to construct a retaining wall along the boundary of the development with Bolton Road.

"The construction of the wall is now almost complete, except for construction of some steps up into the development from Bolton Road."