The householders raised their concerns about the state of Sackville Street and Railway Street with the Lancashire Local (Pendle) in May, but county highway officers have suggested that, while potholes could be patched up, there was no justification for full resurfacing.

The committee had asked for an estimate of the cost of resurfacing. A report to the latest meeting of the committee confirmed: "It was noted the roads were part of a bus route, that there were numerous potholes and cyclists had fallen from their cycles trying to negotiate the worst of the potholes."

The estimated cost of patching the streets was £2,000, while complete resurfacing of Sackville Street and the section of Railway Street from Sackville Street to Waidshouse Road would cost £65,000. Officers felt full restoration was unjustified, the report said.

Coun. Eileen Ansar said: "Patching it would be a waste of time and money". And chairman Coun. Shelagh Derwent added: "It is down to the cobbles in places on Railway Street."

Mr Colin Badminton, the county's highways manager in Pendle, said: "It is maintained to a safe standard."

Coun. David Whipp said: "It is a bad example but there are plenty of others in Pendle and across Lancashire. Hundreds of millions of pounds is needed. Over 17 or 18 years, it is getting worse rather than better. It is probably unrealistic to expect all the roads to be done up, however."

He said it did not seem to be the high priority of the current Labour-controlled council.

And he added: "Perhaps we do it in bite-sized chunks." He suggested the committee could contribute some money towards the Sackville Street work - provided it was done this year. "It would be just throwing good money after bad just patching it up," he said. "If it's left it will cost more."

Mr Badminton said it was a possibility but added: "I can't promise this."

Members agreed to offer £4,000 towards the cost if it is done this year. Members also agreed to ask the county to consider making "a significant increase in the funding available for road and pavement repairs".