RESIDENTS have stepped up their campaign to get a cul-de-sac off a main road out of Blackburn resurfaced to protect elderly householders.

Householders on the service road off Yew Tree Drive in Lammack submitted a petition to councillors calling for action.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s highways boss Cllr Phil Riley was told at the borough’s executive board that his refusal to authorise the work was dangerous.

Yew Tree Drive resident Imtiaz Badat told him: “One of our residents, Pat, is elderly and requires a walking stick.

“When she goes out for her walk she now has to avoid the pavement which as she puts it ‘is dangerous and lumpy and can easily trip over’. We would like to know what safeguards can be put in place so people like Pat would be protected against any trips or falls which can be fatal for elderly people.”

He called for resurfacing of the lay-by to be undertaken either as part of a proposed major project to regenerate the main road or as a separate scheme.

Cllr Riley said: “The council’s controls to prevent trips on the footway are through regular inspections.

“Our most recent inspection determined there were no defects in the footway or carriageway.

“In relation to the omission of this area from recent resurfacing projects, unfortunately due to present funding levels we have to restrict works to the borough’s major classified roads for the foreseeable future.

“If additional funding becomes available from planned housing developments, this will likely be ring-fenced to speed reduction, road safety, public transport and walking and cycling improvements.”