A HUGE £320,000 project to create a ‘greenway’ through an area of derelict land should be completed by this summer, it has been announced.

The scheme, at Within Grove, Huncoat, is now underway and will create a 2.5metre wide, 700metre long off-road route for pedestrians and cyclists linking the Within Grove housing estate to Thorneyholme Road, Accrington.

The site was previously railway sidings but much of it is now neglected and is an unsightly strip of land between the back of Huncoat Industrial Estate and the existing railway line.

A muddy path has been created through the site by residents using it for recreation and to walk to work and school.

Coun Lynn Wilson said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing this new greenway route completed.

"It will make it much easier to walk or cycle to Higham’s playing field, the new playground facilities and cricket club.

"It will be great news for families and young people to get to school or work on a pleasant off-road path.”