RESIDENTS on a Darwen street say the council is 'wasting public money' on roadworks when it should be closing a problem pathway.

Leven Grove residents have drawn up a petition, signed by 26 people, to block a ginnel connecting the homes to Birch Hall Avenue. But recent council work on the road's kerb stones has led the residents to believe the council's priorities are wrong.

Dennis Edwards, 55, said: "Workers came last week to take up the kerb stones but it's a waste of public money and none of us wants it. The stones will just go back to the way they were.

"What we really want is for the ginnel to be closed. We are having so many problems with kids running down and causing grief to the elderly residents that live here. We also get a lot of drunks hanging around.

"The council's priorities should be sorted out. Everyone wants this ginnel closed and so far nothing's been done."

Lee Moran, 24, said: "The ginnel really needs to go because elderly people are getting all sorts of grief from kids. They use foul language and it's just not what you want on your street."

Police have been called three times in the past four days but have taken no action because no damage was caused to property.

Coun Mike Barrett said: "You have to look at the two issues separately. There's the road and there's the ginnel, and the two are unrelated. We will be looking at the ginnel more closely in a planning and highways meeting on April 24.

"I have a lot of sympathy with the residents and it is important we sort this problem out as soon as possible."

A spokesperson from Twin Valley Homes, which owns the homes and the land on Leven Grove, said: "If the residents want the ginnel closed, we will not oppose it but because it is a public right of way, the council will need to grant permission."