COUNCILLORS have drawn up plans to spend more than £18,000 improving roads and streets across Rossendale.

The funds allocated by the Lancashire Local Rossendale committee will be spent on better lighting by the Lumb Scar taxi rank, Bacup, and new mobility crossings.

Special 'H' bar road markings to prevent cars obstructing road crossings were also chosen from a programme of work intended to improve the environment.

The £18,100 will be spent in the coming year.

Part of the money will be used for highway maintenance, with resurfacing work planned in Gambleside Road, Rawtenstall, and Milton Close, Helmshore.

Resurfacing in Market Street, Whitworth, Pen-nine Road, Bacup, and Cowm Park Way, Whitworth, is already set to be carried out but is not included in the recent funding.

Drainage work in Duckworth Clough and Hud Hey Road, Haslingden, will also be carried out.

County Coun Bob Wilkinson, chairman of Lancashire Local Rossendale, said: "These works will benefit everyone in Rossendale.

"I'm glad these spending priorities have been delegated to the local committee.

"This is where councillors who have knowledge of the area are able to consider the benefits of each scheme and make decisions in the best interests of the town."

Councillors were told by Lancashire County Council's area manager East, Brian Cook, that a programme of essential works had already been decided but they were being asked to exercise discretion over additional items.

The Lancashire Local committee is formed by equal numbers of councillors from Lancashire County Council and Rossendale Borough council to make informed decisions on behalf of both authorities.