CALLS have been made for Pendle’s area committees to “chip in” with funds to repair rundown ginnels across the borough.

The urban walkways are classed as countrys-ide access, meaning they are not the responsibility of the county or borough council.

On that basis Lancashire County Council (LCC) and Pendle Council will not foot the estimated £400,000 repair bill to fix the routes.

However, county councillor David Whipp, is urging local commit-tees to contribute to sprucing-up the ginnels.

According to Coun Whipp, there are nine kilometres of urban walkways that need resurfacing and repairing.

They are public rights of way in built up areas, which he said needed putting into “good order.”

Coun Whipp said: “Although the county council is the highways authority and so responsible for footpath maintenance, the work on countryside access, including footpaths, is carried out by Pendle Council on their behalf.

“Bizarrely, footpaths that are urban ginnels are considered to be countryside access and they don’t provide any funding to the borough council for their upkeep.

A decision will be made later this month.