A VILLAGE which has been isolated from the rest of Rossendale for 30 years will need a £250,000 lifeline, it has been revealed.

Residents of Strongstry, near Ramsbottom, fear a tragedy could occur if an ambulance has to negotiate Stubbins Vale Road in an emergency.

The unadopted, pot-holed road is the only link with the outside world.

Taxi drivers refuse to visit Strongstry, says borough councillor Darryl Smith, who is leading a campaign to repair the route.

But the Stubbins councillor has been told that, over the past couple of years, the cost of adopting and repairing the road has increased fourfold.

Highway officials from Lancashire County Coun-cil say it could now cost around £250,000.

Coun Smith said: “This problem dates back around 30 years.

“This is the worst road in Rossendale and it is unacceptable, in 2008, that residents should have to put up with this.

“The road really does place restrictions on people’s lifestyles – taxis will not visit and imagine what that is like for the elderly and teenagers.”

He says he has been faced with “excuse after excuse after excuse” over repairs on Stubbins Vale Road.

Daniel Harrison, a county highways official, told Lancashire Local Rossendale committee that a report was due to be presented before the end of the year.

Councillors heard the county council would need to revise its policies before money could be spent on the road, as it is unadopted.

Residents say refuse wagons and fire appliances also have difficulties travelling along Stubbins Vale Road.

Coun Anne Chetham said: “Strongstry resi-dents pay the same rates as the rest of Rossendale and they expect the same level of service.

Major local firms have pledged financial contri-butions to the road upgrade but those deals may need to be renego-tiated as progress has gradually stalled over the repairs issue.