The clock tower outside Bolton Interchange remains stuck in time a number of months after a commitment to see it ticking "soon".

Its restoration was one of a number of projects announced by the Labour Group when it took to power at the town hall last year.

The restoration of the Market Cross at the junction of Churchgate and Deansgate, the Steam Engine on Oxford Street and The Cenotaph opposite the town hall, all announced at around the same time, are already achieved or are underway in the town centre.

However the clock tower outside Bolton Interchange remains stuck in time and, according to the cabinet member for culture Cllr Nadeem Ayub last week, the timeline for the work is not in the control of the council but of Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).

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He said: "One of the first things the leader did when he took over was to create a cabinet member for culture and what I want is for culture to be the heartbeat of Bolton. 

"I am delighted, as promised, this Labour Group administration has already been able to facilitate the restoration of several pieces of architecture across the town centre."

The clock tower was built back in the late 1800s when it was a part of the old Trinity Street station. It was rebuilt to be a part of the new railway station in the late 1980s.

It first froze in around 2002 after which it was repaired but it froze for a second time in around 2014 after a short spell of going backwards.

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Cllr Ayub said: "Regarding the clock at the railway station, as members are aware, the clock is the responsibility of TfGM. However I can confirm members of our Highways Team are in liaison with TfGM regarding this matter. 

"Our design team tracked the power supply and provided an estimate of the cost to TfGM for review. I can confirm the leader is in discussion about the importance of this issue with the chief executive of TfGM [Eamonn Boylan]. We remain positive the repair can be facilitated to enable the landmark to be operational shortly."

The Bolton News asked TfGM for a comment.

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