SCHOOL bosses are ending a 20-year battle over the upkeep of an unadopted road by taking legal responsibility for it.

Lancashire County Council has agreed to start the legal process to adopt Calder Road, on behalf of Alder Grange Community and Technology School, Rawtenstall.

It was previously a private road in the ownership of the adjacent houses.

If the application is successful the road’s double yellow markings and zigzags will be legally enforceable.

And the road will then be maintained on a regular basis by the council.

The new road system was introduced to ease traffic congestion at busy times and includes a re-routed road that curves around the ag6 sixth form centre and St Paul’s Constable Lee Primary School.

Head of School, David Hampson, said: “We want to thank all the parents and staff who have made the new road a success and helped take the burden off the local community.

“It has been a struggle in the past for us to maintain the road, particularly in the bad weather.

So we are relieved the legal process has started.”

Councillor Tony Winder, who fought to push the issue through the council, said: “The ownership of the road has been a contentious issue for both the school and the local neighbourhood – I’m pleased the issue has now been resolved.”