BIKE riders in Edgworth could soon get their own cycleways.

Villagers and councillors are working together to provide new paths to keep cyclists safe from cars on the area's narrow lanes.

Coun Jean Rigby said: "It's a real problem because the roads are so narrow and you have to be good to be able to cycle here. There's just nowhere for people to go, especially children because it's just not safe.

"A lot of people used to cycle around Entwistle Reservoir but that was stopped because the riders were disregarding walkers."

North Turton Parish Council is negotiating with the borough council for the provision of new cyclepaths on sections of the main roads in the village.

Cyclist Greg Reynolds, 23, of Marsh House Lane, Darwen, said: "I come down here to visit my friends but it's not very safe and there are cars speeding very close. It would be great to have a few cycleways for us to use."

Paul Cragg, 40, of Bolton Road, Edgworth, said: "I know there are lot of people who cycle in Edgworth and it would be great for them to have somewhere safe to do it."

However, Julie Walters, manager of Darwen Cycles in Bolton Road, said: "I can see the problem with the roads being too narrow but cyclepaths could make them even narrower, and more dangerous. There is a lot of countryside around the village and people should use it."

Parish Council clerk Geoff Hughes said: "We have lots of cyclists here and nowhere to ride. We have no cycleways on roads and we need an area dedicated to that purpose. I know a lot of people travel to Bolton to cycle over there because they just don't have the facilities here."

Dave Smith, Edgworth councillor and chairman of the parish council, said: "We have gone without cycleways for too long and the issue is high on the agenda for the next council meeting in September."

New cycleways are already under construction from Great Harwood to Houghton Bottoms and from Witton Park to Lower Darwen. The Countryside Agency is currently working on a feeder route to the West Penine Bridleway which is expected to cut through Darwen and will be available to cyclists in Turton.

Coun Andy Kay, executive member for regeneration for Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: "We are committed to the ongoing improvements of the transport infrastructure and welcome any suggestions from the parish council."