TRAFFIC watchdogs have been described as "toothless tigers" after failing to fulfil a pledge that lighting would be placed at problem roundabouts.

Retired police officer Bill Leaver has been campaigning to get mini roundabouts in the Manxman Road area of town lit up at night.

Blackburn with Darwen Council said it had an assurance from housing developers Maunders Westbury that the work would be started by August 21 but still nothing has been done.

Mr Leaver, who lives in Everton cottages, has slammed the council for not pushing for action. He said: "As far as I am concerned the council highways officers overseeing this problem are toothless tigers.

"The work should have been carried out by the housing developers two years ago.

"They were given the planning go-ahead from the council for the housing estate providing they put the roundabouts in to help with traffic flow.

"The roundabouts are in but not lit at night and are a danger to motorists.

"The impression I get is that the council doesn't like to upset these developers.

"They seem to tread a fine line between encouraging them to invest in the area and then having to enforce the conditions of planning applications.

"In a recent survey, the Higher Croft area was in the top 100 of the country's most deprived communities and I think it is this kind of lack of action and support from the council which brings an area down."

Tina Smith, managing director of Westbury Homes, North West Region, said: "As far as I am concerned we have built the roundabouts to the requirements of the local authority." A Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council spokesman said: "The streetlighting complies with the relevant British Standards. However, work to light the bollards and signs has not been completed and the matter is being pursued with the developers."