GOVERNMENT ministers have ignored repeated pleas from council bosses to improve the state of Chorley's transport system.

Chorley missed out on the latest round of government funding announced last week by Transport Minister John Reid.

Parts of Lancashire, including Preston and South Ribble, are set to receive nearly £10m in Local Transport Settlement grants for next year.

However, government officials refused to accept the need for transport grants in Chorley.

This has angered county officials such as Councillor Richard Toon, Lancashire's highways and transportation committee chairman.

He said: "The money for Lancashire is of course very welcome. However, this must be tempered by the fact that the Government has not accepted the need for our packages for Chorley."

The £10m funding for Lancashire represents an increase of more than £2m on last year's settlement and includes extra money for safety schemes and road maintenance.

Chorley MP Lindsay Hoyle is disappointed at the Government's decision but remains optimistic that next year will see Chorley become successful in its bid.

He said: "I am disappointed that we have missed out on this year's round of government funding but we have not given up the fight.

"I think next year Chorley will come out on top."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.