WORK on a new pelican crossing in Oswaldtwistle will start in the summer for it to be in place for the new school year.

Confusion over when work will begin has alarmed campaigners who battled for the new crossing outside the clinic in Union Road.

According to a newsletter from Labour councillors, the pelican would be installed by April.

But residents say while markings have been painted on the road there is no sign of the crossing.

Rita Pilkington, one of three Oswaldtwistle grandmothers who collected a 777-signature petition campaigning for the crossing, said: "We are all absolutely disgusted.

"They are fobbing us off by painting the road thinking it will keep us quiet for a while.

"How can they say they are waiting for plans to be drawn up when there is one stuck on a lamp post for people to see?"

Conservative ward councillor Peter Britcliffe said: "In view of the fact that extraordinary steps have been taken to finance this project, because of the present danger, I am alarmed and distressed this work is being delayed."

Labour councillor Sheelagh Delaney said: "It's not a delay. There has been a misunderstanding or miscommunication on our part and for that we apologise.

"What is important is that we promised a pelican crossing and that pelican crossing will be built.

"We have delivered the goods. The money is approved by both the county council and Hyndburn Council and the work is timetabled."

A Lancashire County Council spokeswoman said: "The scheme was agreed late in the last financial year when Hydnburn Borough Council agreed to help fund it.

"We are currently doing the design work and are hoping to start in the summer for the pelican to be in place for the new school year."

Hyndburn Council group engineer David Law said confusion may have arisen as the original scheme to upgrade the existing zebra crossing could have been completed by April.

The notice and diagram near the site was a traffic order, not a contract drawing, he added.

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