A COUNCILLOR criticised cycleways in Rossendale which have been introduced at a cost of £500,000 but can't be used because of parked cars.

Coun Lawrence Forshaw, a keen cyclist, asked the chairman of engineering and planning committee Coun Christopher Wadsworth how much had been spent since the inception of the idea of having cycleways.

Coun Wadsworth said so far the scheme had received £520,000 since it started in March, 1998. The money had come from central government.

Coun Forshaw said: "Half-a-million pounds on cycleways which you cannot use because of the number of cars parked over them."

Coun Clive Balchin, chairman of the Rossendale cycleways and bridleways project, said: "An awful lot of money has been wasted and I am determined that no more will be."