A SECURITY gate is to be installed to block the King's Highway in Huncoat in an attempt foil fly-tippers.

The road, which comes off the A679 Burnley Road, has been used for some time by people illegally dumping waste.

Farms at the top of the road have been particularly affected by the problem.

The idea to gate off the road was discussed at a meeting between Hyndburn Council and Lancashire County Council at the end of last year.

But money, including a contribution from Ipstock, the quarrying firm working at Huncoat Quarry, off the King's Highway, has now been found to fund it.

The gate will have an electronic keypad which all registered users will be given the access code for.

County councillor Jean Battle, who has been lobbying for the access to be closed, welcomed the news. She said: "This has been a big problem. It has taken since before May last year to get it closed down, but persistence has paid off.

"We are fortunate that the quarry people agree.

There may be objections to this road being closed but I hope people will see it is to stop people being anti-social and tipping their rubbish there."

Huncoat ward councillor Dave Parkins also welcomed the plans to gate the highway.

He said: "The residents have been doing tremendous work to improve the environment up there. They have put in a big rockery.

"The fly-tipping they have had to put up with is sheer vandalism.

I welcome this new gate and I have been assured that there is still going to be access for horses and riders."

Formal notification that the King's Highway is going to be closed will be going out this week and if there are no objections the gate will go up in three or four weeks' time.

After the road has been closed, Hyndburn Council's cleansing department task force will go out and spruce up the site.