A plan to turn a section of a street into a one-way system took a significant step this week after the council set aside £2 million towards the proposal.

The plans are one part of the Horwich Town Centre Masterplan, which was approved a number of years ago alongside proposals for the towns of Farnworth, Westhoughton and Little Lever.

In Horwich, the focus is on a number of schemes, from the construction of Horwich Health Hub to the improvement of Old Station Park. The work in these areas is still in its earliest stages.

And one of these schemes, to turn a section of a street into a one-way system, took a significant step this week.

READ MORE: Farnworth Town Centre Masterplan cutbacks as costs rise.

According to a report to cabinet member for regeneration Adele Warren, the aim of the plan is to make the top of Winter Hey Lane more accessible and more attractive to pedestrians up to the crossroads with St John Street.

An exercise, delayed due to coronavirus, established 'a partial closure of one lane southbound' was the proposal with 'the least impact of all options'.

On Monday, Cllr Warren agreed to set aside £2 million to put it into action.

A report reads: "All options forecast an increase in traffic flows on residential routes such as Ramsbottom Road and Victoria Road as well as having an impact on the minor roads.

"The preferred option which resulted in a partial closure of one lane southbound from the top of Winter Hey Lane to St John Street forecast the least impact of all options," it adds.

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Linked to the work on Winter Hey Lane is the work on the car park on St John Street, which is to see improvements.

This car park and another one on Captain Street are to see parking restrictions implemented, while some roads are to see parking laybys installed, in an attempt to improve the situation for residents of and visitors to the town.

In addition to the investment into the Horwich Town Centre Masterplan, Bolton Council is also exploring the idea of expressing an interest in National Lottery Heritage Funding.

It is after up to £2 million towards the restoration of the conservation area, centred around Lees Lane and Scholes Bank.

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.