FED up residents who claim they have been left to live in derelict streets are planning a silent protest march to push for action.

The Roman Road Homes in Crisis group is being supported by church leaders Rev Dick Cartmell of St James Church, Lower Darwen, and Father Brian Kealey of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour Church, Blackburn.

They say Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council first started discussing the future of the estate with residents and a private developer more than three years ago. Now they are praying for action.

The group's main concerns are:

Dates being set for development then nothing happening.

Conflicting information being given on proposed action.

Repairs being delayed and families moving out, leaving derelict streets.

Danger created for children who are attracted to empty houses.

Morale of residents at an all time low.

The march is due to set off from the Roman Road Library at 6pm on Tuesday. The protesters will stop off at Blackburn Cathedral before handing in a written statement at Blackburn Town Hall.

Father Kealey said: "People are not asking for the world. All they want to know is what is going to happen to their homes so they can plan their lives."

Rev Cartmell added: "The silent protest is a plea for the delays to stop in an attempt to prevent any further degeneration of the community."

Councillors have decided that homes in the Maryport Close area will be demolished. Security fencing has been installed around the perimeter of empty properties.

A town hall spokesman said: "The council embarked on this project in consultation with the residents over a year ago and a lot of thorough work has been done.

"We are now at the stage of assessing the financial consequences of any programme on the council.

"We are nearing a conclusion on this issue and this will be reported to the residents soon as a detailed plan has been agreed.

"The council has worked with the residents and relocated most of those living in this area and these premises will be demolished soon when the final residents move out."

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