FLOODED subways beneath a busy roundabout are forcing some pedestrians to risk their lives by crossing a dangerous road, it is claimed.

Residents have complained that water has been building up in the subways under the Kearsley roundabout, which connects the M61 to the A666 and Bolton Road.

One mother, who asked not to be named, said she and her children have to wade through the water to get to Bolton Road, where they catch the bus to Mount St Joseph School.

She also said she has seen some youngsters taking their lives in their hands by crossing the busy roundabout to avoid getting their feet wet.

"It is continually flooding and kids as young as seven are crossing Bolton Road, which is extremely dangerous, just to avoid the subways," she said.

"After a big downpour it's ankle deep. Something needs to be done about it."

Kearsley councillor Margaret Rothwell, said: "It's something that has been going on ever since this roundabout was built, due to the complication of the subway being owned by the council and the Highways Agency being in charge of the road.

"It needs sorting out but I have never seen anybody trying to cross the slip road or go over the roundabout. That is a rare occurence."

A Bolton Council spokesman said the problem was caused by a blocked drain on the carriageway above.

He said: "Work was recently undertaken to clear the blockage using jets but has not solved the problem. We now need to manually clear the blockage through a manhole located on the A666/M61 carriageway.

"However, for safety reasons we are only able to carry this out work during the next scheduled road closure, which has been agreed with the Highways Agency for March 2008."

He urged people to use the subway to cross the road, whenever possible.

"If one subway access is flooded, another can be used," he said.

"Alternatively, pedestrians can use crossing points such as the Grosvenor Street Bridge, even if it means a slightly longer walk."