A RAMSBOTTOM councillor is urging Bury Council to improve the ‘appalling’ state of the town’s roads.

Cllr Ian Bevan asked council leader Mike Connolly at a full council meeting on April 6, to confirm what is being done to address the state of roads and footpaths in Ramsbottom.

Since April 2015 the council has completed 2,423 repair jobs on pavements and road across the borough.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Connolly said: “Cllr Bevan will be aware that at the last council meeting, the Labour Group announced an additional £500,000 for pothole repairs this financial year.

“I can assure him that we intend that a proportion of these monies will be invested in the road network in Ramsbottom based on an assessment of road condition, risk and need.

“I would also remind him that within the last 12 months the Ramsbottom area has benefitted from extensive resurfacing works to Bolton Road West, Bolton Street and Dundee Lane.

“The council has also invested in new machinery that can carry out permanent repairs effectively and efficiently and this is already being utilised across the borough including in Ramsbottom.”

Cllr Bevan believes the £500,000 which is to be used to repair roads across the borough, needs to be used efficiently to make sure some of the most dangerous potholes in Ramsbottom are repaired.

He said: “I think the council has cut too far and too fast in terms of the highways department and now Ramsbottom is seriously suffering.

“Time and time again over the last few months everyone raises the issue.

“Town centre streets and residential roads are in an appalling state and they are not being repaired.

“One pothole in particular at the railway crossing desperately needs repairing.

“I’ve reported it myself along with many other residents as motorists are having to swerve to avoid it.

“This year they have accepted they need to put money back into highways and I hope it shows in Ramsbottom.”