RESIDENTS have won an eight-year fight to get a housing estate adopted by the council.

Frustrations have mounted, and sales broken down because Blackburn with Darwen Council had refused to adopt the sewerage system on the Oakdale estate, on the border between Blackburn and Darwen, as it was said to have defects.

But after pressure by Fernhurst councillors and MP Jake Berry, action has now been taken and remedial work by contractors is to start soon.

In October, with the introduction of the Private Sewer Bill shifting responsibility for drainage from householders to water companies, United Utilities is to take responsibility for the sewer.

Fernhurst councillor Jacqueline Slater said: “Councillors and residents have fought for years over this matter. "I am sure this is welcome news for all long-suffering residents.”

MP Jake Berry said: “It’s been a real team effort. I got hold of Blackburn with Darwen Council and together we put a lot of pressure on the developers to get it sorted out.

"It’s a victory for the residents, but I don’t understand why it’s taken eight years to sort out. "We must make sure that it doesn’t happen again with any other big housing development."

Coun Dave Harling, executive member for regeneration, said adopting the highways was never in doubt.