FLOOD-hit parts of the Valley will be able to make bids to a new fund designed to make residents and traders think more closely about water safety schemes.

Town hall bosses have put up £50,000 in this year’s budget.

And they are hoping match funding can be obtained for ambitious projects.

Work has already begun on a £7million scheme by United Utilities to revamp the sewer network in the middle of Rawtenstall.

Heavy flooding has occasionally caused undiluted sewage to flow into the River Irwell and Limey Water, according to water engineers.

Flooding around St Mary’s Way roundabout has also caused a number of difficulties, not only to the town’s fire station but businesses at the top of Bury Road.

And high water levels have repeatedly affected a number of propertie.

That has followed continous rainfall in recent years, chiefly in the Bacup and Stacksteads areas, prompting traders to lobby for more flood prevention work.

Council officials say they regularly meet with the utililty company, Lancashire County Council and the Environment Agency as part of a joint working group to monitor the issue.

A Rossendale Council spokesman said: “Following the severe flooding of 2012, we have delivered a number of successful flood management schemes.”

Culvert and drainage ditch improvements have been undertaken in Hardman Avenue, Rawtenstall, the village of Irwell Vale, Phillipstown, Lord Street in Crawshawbooth, Sandybank in Waterfoot, Bacup’s Bankside Lane and Tor End Road in Helmshore.