RESIDENTS angered by the urbanisation of the Lancaster to Caton footpath have taken their protest to the scheme's biggest financial backers - the Millennium Commission.

Armed with a 1,200 name petition, residents claim lottery money has been wrongly used to fund an unpopular scheme and they've written to the Director of the Millennium Commission, Michael O'Connor, to express their concerns.

Local councillor Paul Woodruff also held a public meeting at Halton Community centre last week to address concerns but many residents are determined to continue their protests against the Millennium Riverside Park.

Linda Mills of Brookhouse said: "Those residents of this beautiful valley who signed the petition feel strongly that Lancaster City Council has committed a gross act of vandalism in destroying so much of the beautiful countryside. Questions must be asked whether the city council conducted any surveys on its proposed use after dark to warrant the £152,000 spent on installing the lighting. "The city council spend public money and must take account of what people want. They have a legal obligation to ensure it will benefit the community and they must be accountable for their actions. How can they justify all this unnecessary and unwanted expense and did they conduct any surveys to support the bid?"

Following the public meeting, Cllr Woodruff contacted the council's director of development to clarify the current situation.

"There is to be no white line down the centre of the path," said Cllr Woodruff, "All remaining contractors rubble and rubbish will be removed upon completion of the path. Engineers are examining the possibility of installing timer units into the columns between the motorway bridge and Halton Station. There is no requirement for dogs on leads however the cyclepath is subject to the Fouling of Land by Dogs Act. Restrictions to access points which have been removed will be replaced, usually in the form of bollards. The verges are already greening over and the natural process of vegetation is happening very quickly."

He added: "Most people dislike the lighting of the path. However, the vast majority regard it as a great asset to all users."