BUNGLING council chiefs have admitted they did do resurfacing work in a back alley – despite claiming they knew nothing about it.

On Monday, the Lanca-shire Telegraph revealed that the alleyway on one side of Bank Street, Darwen, had been resurfaced, two metal bollards fitted in the centre to prevent motorists driving through, and wooden fencing put up along the back walls.

Following an investigation, Blackburn with Darwen Council said it appeared to have no record of any works being authorised on the site or any invoices for costs.

George Bell, associate director of highways and transportation, said at the time: “The work has been carried out without the permission or knowledge of the Highways Section.

“Officers have been, and still are, trying to find out who ordered, funded and carried out the work.”

However, they now admit that it was the Housing Market Renewal (HMR) section of the council that did the work.

Council leader Michael Lee said the confusion was caused by a break-down in communication between the HMR department and Capita.

He said: “The resurfa-cing work in Bank Street, was carried out by the renewals team at the council and they were aware of the work taking place.

“The work was proposed to complement the Hous-ing Market Renewal programme after an assessment of property in Bank Street identified a number of issues, including broken and uneven flags in the alleyway which could have had an impact on the health and safety of the residents.

“Residents were told about the scheme in person late last year.”

Coun Dave Hollings slammed the council for the confusion.

He said: “This just shows that the left hand of the council doesn’t know what the right is doing. It’s farcical.

“They didn’t consult the local councillors, they just went ahead and spent the money willy-nilly.

“Why was this a priority? They’re cutting back in other more needy areas.”