PLANS to improve security at two Ribble Valley railway stations have hit the buffers.

County Council bosses had hoped money from the Strategic Rail Authority would fund CCTV and other safety improvements at Whalley and Langho railway stations, but this cash has now been frozen

A similar initiative was implemented at Ramsgreave and Wilpshire station in 2002 after it was claimed to be one of the 'most intimidating' in the North West.

The improvements at the unmanned Ramsgreave and Wilpshire station - which also included cutting back hedges and putting in better lights - have led to more people using it.

Both Langho and Whalley stations, which are also unmanned, have been subject to vandalism recently and Richard Watts, a county council public transport officer, said the search was now on to extend safety measures right along the Clitheroe to Blackburn line.

He said: "We had hoped to get money from the SRA but they have put a freeze on extra spending at the moment which rules that out.

"We hope to find the money to extend the Ramsgreave and Wilpshire system along to Whalley and Langho. Clitheroe already has CCTV.

"The Clitheroe to Blackburn line has been very successful since passenger services were re-introduced 10 years ago, but we think improving how safe people feel at the stations will attract a lot more passengers."

Whalley councillor Joyce Holgate said: "I hope they do get the money in place soon.

"I get a lot of complaints about Whalley station. It is a wonderful thing to have again, but it does attract a lot of troublemakers."

Each station would cost around £20,000 to improve.