A TASK group has been set up in Rossendale to review the state of the borough's roads and make much-needed improvements to the Valley's highways.

The Highways Task Group, established by Rossendale Council's Overview and Scrutiny Committee, will be looking at the state of the roads, street lighting, dropped kerbs, bus shelters and pavements in the area.

People are being invited to contact the group with concerns or issues about highways in the borough.

Council chiefs say this will help the group to identify matters of concern, focus on the most important issues for local people and assist the group in making recommendations.

Coun Brian Essex, chairman of the Highways Task Group, said: "Our highways are one of the most important issues in the borough.

"Although Rossendale Council is no longer responsible for the vast majority of highways issues, we do have a role to play in encouraging other organisations to invest in Rossendale.

"I hope that local people will take this opportunity to bring any issues to the council's attention."

During the investigation, representatives from Lancashire County Council (the highway authority), the Highways Agency, and the police are being invited to contribute to the review.

Members of the group will go on site visits and further research will be carried out.

The group will be scrutinising the performance of Lancashire County Council's Highways service.

It will also focus on highway related matters such as street lighting, dropped kerbs and bus shelters and will recommend improvements.

The move comes a year after a damning report said Rossendale had the worst roads in the county.