pothole

The £10m programme will focus around upgrading and refurbishing four bridges around Junction 26, which have become riddled with potholes.

Since becoming council leader in Lancashire in May, Atkinson says he has focused on the "huge financial challenges" facing his Reform UK administration, alongside bread-and-butter issues such as fixing potholes.

"So far we have seen a new approach to potholes and a review of home-to-school transport bills. This work continues at pace."

Abhesinh Parmar, a local council chief from a village near the bridge, said it was in a "dilapidated" condition and "had potholes everywhere".

The government is understood to be developing plans that could see convicted criminals filling potholes and cleaning bins.