WORK is not expected to start on a £600,000 safety scheme at a notorious road junction for nearly two years.

Lancashire County Council said it is expecting to begin construction of a new roundabout at the Britannia Crossroads, in Oswaldtwistle, in February, 2007.

This will be two years after the death of 20-year-old student Robert Jamieson, of Kingsmead, Knuzden, in an accident at the junction last February.

Funding for the project has been earmarked in the council's 2006/2007 budget and it is in the process of buying the land it needs for the scheme.

Brian Cook, the county council's area manager east, said: "Detailed design work on the roundabout is progressing. Land acquisition will be required from two landowners.

"We do have funding identified for the next financial year. If the land acquisition goes well it is hoped that we will be making a start on it in February 2007."