UNEXPECTED problems with a £5million plan to create 30 kilometres of safe cycleways in Accrington and Rossendale have caused a 12 month delay in its completion.

The East Lancashire Strategic Cycleway Network project was approved to start in 2014/2015 with a target finish date of March 2019.

The scheme, sections four to eight of National Cycle Route 6, includes creating a 'greenway' for cyclists through Huncoat and improvements to cycle paths from Haslingden to Ramsbottom running through Helmshore, Accrington and Stubbins.

It also features a scenic ‘Valley of Stone’ cycleway, from Rawtenstall to Rochdale, celebrating Rossendale’s quarrying heritage.

On Thursday Lancashire County Council's Cabinet will be asked to approve a 12 month delay in its completion until March 2020.

The report to senior councillors says: "A number of factors have had to be overcome since the works began.

" These include: unanticipated flood damage along some of the route in December 2015; extensive public consultation in 2017 on a preferred surface for the routes; and land ownership issues, bridleway claims and the need for additional ecology surveys including extended surveys for bats."

Highways England has also asked Lancashire County Council to take over leading on its design and delivery in return for an extra £1million in cash to complete the route.

The officers report to Cabinet says: "It is unlikely that the design and delivery can be completed in line with the original timeframe."

The project aims to create safe, largely off–road routes to attract families and new users and encourage healthy lifestyles and it is hoped that the new cycleways will also provide congestion and air quality benefits alongside this."