HOPES of a New Year start on Blackburn's crucial Eastern Radial route were ruined.

County planners had secured a promise of £2.5 million in Euro grants for the road, on condition work started in 1993.

But they were told the Department of Transport would not share the cost of the remaining £7.5 million needed for a start in 1993.

To go ahead, the council would have to find the whole £7.5 million itself.

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