A CONTROVERSIAL new £3.5m link road opened last month... but it has no bins for dog fouling and litter.

Perplexed councillors said people are leaving litter and dog mess on the new Ellison Fold Way in Darwen, which links Ivinson Road and Marsh House Lane.

Blackburn with Darwen Council chiefs blamed a shortage of bins in the borough.

But Darwen mayor, Cllr Roy Davies, branded the situation ‘ridiculous’.

He said: “I’ve contacted the council and been told that there is no capacity for vans to empty the bins, so there are no bins because of this.

“It’s a nice straight road and people are taking their dogs for a walk and there is already evidence of dog mess.

“There are benches along the road for people to sit and have lunch but there is no where for people to put their rubbish, which we’re also seeing appear.

“People should be responsible and take their mess home but the council have got to do their bit and provide bins.

“A lot of money has spent on this road, yet no bins have been provided for it which I find ridiculous.”

He added that he was working to identify bins that could be put on to the road, including three from his own Darwen East ward and two from the Marsh House ward.

Sudell ward councillor Paul Browne said: “It really is pathetic and we’re seeing problems with dog mess and litter because of it.”

Borough regeneration boss Cllr Phil Riley said the council does not have a limitless number of bins.

He said: “ A question on the new road came up at a council meeting. It’s because we have a shortage of bins in the borough and don’t put them everywhere.

“We said to the councillor that raised the question that if they’re prepared to identify any bins that are redundant, we’d probably move them to the new road.

“But we don’t have a limitless number of bins.”

He added: “If we don’t have any bins on the road, then clearly we won’t have any vans going to collect them.”

Ellison Fold Way was opened to traffic in March and will see some cars avoiding the A666 though Darwen.

There are also plans for 350 new three, four and five-bedroomed homes on the surrounding Bailey’s Field.