A POSTMAN is hoping start a group to secure lottery funding to get something done about the state of unadopted roads in Bacup and Stacksteads.

Father-of-three Dale Conneam, who lives on Bankfield Street in Stacksteads, has issued a plea to all residents of unadopted roads to contact him so they can establish a group to fight for cash to improve the streets.

He said there were proportionately more unadopted streets in Bacup and Stacksteads than in all other parts of Rossendale.

Dale said: "Streets such as ours are inhabited by some of the poorest home owners and tenants in the valley and yet despite the distinct inequality between 'made up' and 'unadopted' streets, we pay the same level of council tax. Surely there has to be something wrong with that.

"We bought this house two-and-a-half years ago because it was the only house large enough that we could afford. We have just finished the pram stage but pushing a pram up this street is a nightmare.

"Our road isn't cobbled or anything it is just a dirt track and very uneven. The pavement is even more dangerous than the road because you have to negotiate around wheelie bins because it is the only place they can go.

"When we moved in the carpet downstairs was only a year old, but with all the dirt that gets carried in on people's shoes it already needs replacing, but what is the point when it is only going to keep on happening. The car's tracking is also constantly out of alignment and tyres are worn down unevenly."

He said that, as union representative at Bacup delivery office, he was also aware of several accidents when postmen had suffered falls while delivering on the unadopted streets.

Dale said he checked with Rossendale Council about getting the street adopted and found he needed 85 per cent of people living on the street to agree to pay towards the work before the council would agree to carry it out.

Rossendale Council's engineer and planning officer John Cowpe confirmed the council's policy but said private street works were currently given little or no priority by Lancashire County Council as highways authority.

Mr Cowpe said: "The unadopted streets are a major resource issue and whatever resources may be made available it would be a matter of prioritising. I wish them the best of luck."

Dale said: "Many of these streets have houses which are rented out and private landlords aren't going to agree to the work and the tenants can't afford to pay. If enough people are interested then we will possibly hold a public meeting, look to form a committee and maybe try alternative funding sources such as the lottery."

Anyone wanting more information can contact Dale on 01706 876960. PICTURE: Dale Conneam at Bankfield Street, Stacksteads