A HYNDBURN road plagued by fly-tipping and 'doggers' is finally set to be gated off after a decade-long dispute over its ownership was resolved.

Because no agencies admitted responsibility for the King’s Highway, Huncoat, residents had been left in limbo with their complaints.

But now it has emerged that Lancashire County Council is responsible and it is now to install gates.

Coun Paul Gott, County Coun Jean Battle and the owners of Huncoat Quarry owners had been investigating for years.

The investigations came to a head after a meeting last month where the Highways Agency looked into the King’s Highway and found that the road’s ownership was transferred to Lancashire Council Council on November 14 1984.

County Coun Battle said: “This has been going on for about 10 years we wanted to know who owned the land and it has taken until now to find this out.

“The gates on the King’s Highway will put a stop to fly tipping, travellers moving onto the land, dogging and mini motos who go into the quarry.

“We hope the gates will end anti-social behaviour.

“This has been a partnership between residents, the district council and the joint effort put on the pressure on. It is unfortunate it has taken a long time.”

Coun Paul Gott said: “At long last it is great news for residents. It has been a torment for residents who live in that area.

“We are delighted but is it a shame it has taken so long but this means we have legal ownership and we can get some gates installed.”

The gates are expected to be fitted after Christmas at the entrance off the Burnley Road roundabout. Keys will be handed to the emergency services and residents.

A spokesperson for the Highways Agency said: “The highways Agency wrote to Lancashire County Council in August to inform them the land was transferred on November 14 1984.

“The council is therefore responsible for the stretch land.”