A KEEN cyclist and local councillor today branded a major new initiative a "shambles" and said thousands of pounds had been wasted.

Rossendale Councillor Lawrence Forshaw said he is dismayed by cycleways in Haslingden and Helmshore.

The authority is partnering Groundwork Rossendale, Lancashire County Council and voluntary sector groups to create a network of 34 cycleways and 68 miles of bridleways throughout the valley.

But Coun Forshaw told members of the development and environmental services committee that, since the scheme was set up, thousands of pounds had been wasted.

He said: "You can't use the cycleways in Haslingden and Helmshore because of parked cars.

"We should have been going off road and putting in proper cycleways.

"It has been a shambles and the quicker we take hold of it the better. It really has been a scandal."

The committee was told it is hoped an officer currently employed by Rossendale would agree to take on the extra responsibility of overseeing the scheme.

Director of development and environmental services John Cowpe said the council was looking at a short-term strategy and £15,000 was available to be spent on staffing.

He said: "I have an officer who is more than capable of doing this work and I would have him on the job tomorrow."

A meeting of the cycleways and bridleways steering group is to be organised in the near future to put forward ways in which the council can positively contribute to the projects implementation.