A CAMPAIGN has been launched to force developers to clean up their act after a series of problems on new housing estates in Lower Darwen.

Earcroft ward councillors Michael Barrett, Simon Danczuk and Mary Leaver want action after listening to two years of complaints.

They say Cravens Avenue, close to the large Oakdale development, has suffered flooding and mud slides, and the entrance to the avenue destroyed but despite site visits, a public meeting, and promises from the developers, little has happened.

Mr Barrett said: "A commitment was given to reinstate the island entrance to the avenue and improve the surface of Cravens Avenue. Instead the residents have got what amounts to a glorified tip."

The councillors say Beazer Homes development at the bottom of Sandy Lane is creating similar difficulties for Tottenham Road residents.

The trio have now devised an action plan which includes involving MP Janet Anderson, organising protests, looking into legal action, pressing the council to force the developers to sort out the problems, and exploring the possibility of the council carrying out the work and charging the developer.

Mr Danczuk added: "There are a number of developers in the Earcroft area and we don't have any reported problems concerning them."

A spokeswoman for Beazer Homes in Preston said: "We installed a drain about six months ago. Because of heavy rainfall we recognise it has become insufficient and water has been breaking out of it. We are extending a cut off drain at the moment to deal with the problem."

John Cosgrove, managing director of Alfred McAlpine Homes North West, one of the companies with homes on the Oakdale site, said: "We understand that previous issues were dealt with, so in the circumstances we have no further comment to make."

Other developers at the Oakdale site are Maunders Homes, Crowther Homes and Morris Homes were unavailable to comment.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.