The 'worst' is over, a senior councillor has said about a controversial road improvement scheme which started in the spring of last year.

The busy Blackburn Road junction near Crompton Way has been the centre of roadworks since May last year for what have been described as 'vital development works'.

And earlier this year more frustration was caused when resurfacing works began in January.

At the time highways chiefs defended the decision to begin this at the time when most schools were going back claiming it could not have been done any earlier due to cold temperatures and a two week industry shutdown.

During this time there was traffic backlog going up as far as Bromley Cross from the junction with Crompton Way.

The Bolton News:

However delays have been minimal recently.

And Cllr John Walsh, who represents the Astley Bridge ward, has said the situation was improving.

He said: “The worst is well past.

“The road has been resurfaced.

“There is some minor works to be done but off junctions.

“In the main traffic has been flowing pretty well.

“I have had a couple of people say to me it is a pity that it took so long but we have got a good road surface on Blackburn Road.”

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Bolton Council said at the time the roadworks were announced they would “reduce congestion.”

The scheme is a junction improvement at the junction of Blackburn Road, Crompton Way and Moss Bank Way. It involved alterations to the junction arrangement and the provision of a dedicated left turn lane from Moss Bank Way onto Blackburn Road.

The aim of the scheme was designed to reduce congestion and improve safety at the junction and provide better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

The scheme value is £1m and was funded by the GM Growth Deal Fund.