ROAD improvements costing almost £2million are set to begin in Burnley.

Fresh asphalt will be laid on dozens of roads using a method called surface dressing, which will see potholes patched up for good.

And a further £1.2million will be spent by Lancashire County Council upgrading street lights by replacing outdated columns, repairing existing lights, and erecting new installations.

The surface dressing technique involves potholes being given a coat of bitumen with chippings rolled into the surface, making them waterproof and helping to prevent new potholes appearing.

Among the roads earmarked for improvement are Padiham Road, between Oak Street and Stephenson Drive, and a long section of Burnley Road north of Holme Chapel to the county border with Calderdale.

Brassey Street and Ightenhill Park Lane, from Lakeland Way to Padiham Road, Padiham’s Victoria Road and its adjoining streets, and Richmond Avenue, Cliviger, are also included.

County Councillor John Fillis, cabinet member for highways and transport, said: “We have teams working constantly throughout the year to inspect our roads and make running repairs as potholes appear to ensure people can travel safely.

“Alongside this we also have a programme of planned work to extend the life of our roads and replace the most worn out surfaces, which is vital to maintain their long term condition.

“Roads are essential to our everyday need to get from A to B, and to Lancashire's economy. In spite of unprecedented government funding cuts we will continue to invest to maintain our roads and pavements to the highest standard we possibly can with the resources we have available.

“Most damage to roads is caused by the wet and cold winter weather, and as we move into spring our teams are already working hard across the county to keep our roads, as well as infrastructure such as streetlights, in good working condition.”