Lancashire County Council has agreed to allow Pendle representatives on Lancashire Local (Pendle) to decide which schemes should take priority through the £499,000 extra funding it has provided.

County Coun. Shelagh Derwent said: "As a county councillor for Pendle and chairman of the Lancashire Local, this is a very exciting move. With a requirement to spend the monies by March, the committee has welcomed the opportunity to progress quickly with these schemes, which have already been prepared, but which have been waiting in the pipeline for funding."

Projects agreed include £17,000 for community safety lighting schemes and £10,000 for the replacement of school "Keep Clear" markings.

Special maintenance schemes will be carried out on road surfaces throughout the area, including Hibson Road, Nelson (£75,000), Sackville Street, Nelson (£16,000), Birtwistle Avenue, Colne (£51,000), Red Lane, Colne (Skipton Road to Birtwistle Avenue, £35,000), Barrowford Road, Colne (£112,000), and Manchester Road, Barnoldswick (£77,000). In addition, paths will be maintained in Salterforth Road, Earby (£4,000).

Other schemes include: Hibson Road, Nelson (pedestrian refuge, £6,000), Skipton Road, Colne (pedestrian phase at traffic lights, £20,000), Marsden area, Nelson (highway trees removal, £20,000), countryside access schemes (£4,000) and Stoney Bank Road, Earby (20 m.p.h. zone, £16,000).

A reserve scheme for the period is road resurfacing in Railway Street, Nelson (£30,000).