THE break-up of a main road in Blackburn with Darwen just six months after it was treated with the latest surfacing technology has raised fears about the effectiveness of the borough’s £17.5million Network Recovery programme.

When the project was launched in May 2012, the council’s Labour leadership promised it would tackle the pothole misery blighting drivers and produce a highway system fit for at least a decade.

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Now borough Liberal Democrat leader David Foster is alarmed at damage on the A666 Blackburn to Darwen road at Bull Hill in his Whitehall ward, which was resurfaced under the programme in August.

He is seeking assurances that the problems are a one-off and do not compromise the four-year scheme.

Councillor Foster said: “Officers told me a defect with this surface dressing and sections of material had started stripping off the carriageway leaving loose chippings.

“ I was assured the main contractor and sub-contractors had accepted liability and will undertake defect repairs.

“I am deeply concerned as to whether this is a one-off or a problem with the whole Network Recovery programme.

“I want to know if the council will be monitoring it regularly.”

Borough environment boss Jim Smith, responsible for the Network Recovery programme, said: “Improvements to our road network is of vital importance and we work closely with contractors to ensure all work undertaken is up to the council’s high standards.

“The material laid on the A666 was laid during a period of bad weather and this did affect the bonding process and some delamination has occurred. However the contractors have taken full liability for this and will repair and relay the affected area later this year.”