RESIDENTS want urgent repairs to a bridge amid fears that it is in danger of collapse.

Borough bosses say the bridge at The Glen, near Waterfoot, is privately owned and therefore not their responsibility.

But residents believe the bridge, which partially collapsed six years ago when a car parked on a weak spot, poses a serious risk to motorists.

Stuart Corless, of Glen Terrace, Waterfoot, fears a heavy downpour could cause the bridge, which takes cars and pedestrians over the River Irwell, to fall down.

Mr Corless, 61, a widower and self-employed joiner, said: "It's got really bad in recent weeks but nobody will take responsibility for it. The service cables have been exposed which is dangerous.

"All it will take is a heavy downpour and the whole lot could fall down."

Gavaad Ahmed, 49, who owns Elegant Shoes in Bacup Road, and uses a building opposite the bride for storage, said: "I sent an email to Lancashire County Council and Rossendale Council about five weeks ago but haven't had any response, which I find appalling.

"The bridge isn't far from collapse and one day a car going over is going to end up in the river. The residents will be stranded in their homes because they use the bridge to get to their properties.

"The council say it is privately owned and can't trace the owner but they have a duty of care to the residents and its users."

A spokesman for Rossendale Council said: "It's a matter for the county as they are the highways authority for Rossendale."

But a county spokesman said: "Maintenance of Glen Terrace Culvert is not the responsibility of the county council as it is a privately owned structure on private land. We have installed barriers to prevent pedestrians walking on the unsafe part."