THE TERRIBLE state of roads and pavements on Rossendale's Pennine Road estate is making them a danger to drivers and pedestrians, according to residents.

They said problems including potholes, splitting asphalt and rain water gushing down the pavements are making their lives a misery and giving a bad impression of the area to visitors.

Bill Pearson, chairman of Bacup and Stacksteads tenants management organisation (TMO), said the roads had reached a "treacherous" state.

He told the assembled councillors and residents at Bacup area forum that he had grown tired of complaining to the council and receiving no response.

"The roads are breaking up. We have big potholes everywhere and the road itself is splitting up.

"When it rains, water runs down the road and then when we get cold it turns to a sheets of ice running down the pavement - it's treacherous.

"The roads in the whole estate are a mess. It's Pennine Road itself, Tong Lane and Rossendale Crescent. I have been on to the council dozens of times about this but have not heard anything back."

Other residents at the meeting, held at Thorn County Primary School, Cowtoot Lane, Bacup, agreed.

Irwell ward Councillor Janet Farquharson said: "If ambulances or fire engines have got to go up there it's dangerous.

"Trying to walk safely on them is impossible."

Lancashire County Council, which holds responsibility for looking after the roads, said all highways in the borough were currently being surveyed.

Spokesman Brian Cook told the meeting: "We have employed a consultant to look at all the highways in Rossendale and he will come back and tell us how much it will cost to bring all highways up to standard.

"The investigation is under way and we are waiting for him to report back in a few months."