AN all-terrain vehicle supplied for countryside police in East Lancashire has still not hit the roads amid delays over insuring and fuelling the vehicle.

Councillors in Colne are now set to write to Chief Constable Steve Finnegan because the Land Rover, designed for rural officers, has been sidelined for several months.

The vehicle was donated by the Hillendale dealership on the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate in Nelson, and the town’s area committee had agreed a £500 grant for signage marking the link-up.

Coun Graham Waugh, Colne committee chairman, said: “We have got nine officers sharing one Vauxhall Corsa, and the offer of a four-by-four.

“Surely it is not the beyond the wit of the chief superintendent and the chief constable to sort this out because we are dismayed by this outcome.”

Coun Joe Cooney, who also sits on the committee and is the borough council leader, added: “We agreed to part-fund signage for this vehicle so we have done our bit.

“The police have been given this vehicle by this dealer and they don’t seem to want it.”

The committee heard that an offer had been made by Chief Supt Chris Bithell, eastern policing division commander, regarding the on-road costs for the Land Rover.

But councillors were told that further objections appeared to have been raised by police headquarters regarding its deployment.

Councillors have agreed to write a letter to the chief constable to enquire whether the situation can be resolved.

Lancashire Police was unavailable for comment last night.