MOTORISTS and councillors claim some of Bolton's busiest roads are overgrown with weeds and grass.

Drivers believe there is an accident waiting to happen because grass has not been cut at roundabouts and roads across the borough.

They claim grass has grown up to two feet tall along the central reservation of St Peters Way with some of the 50 mile per hour warning signs obscured by the overgrown weeds.

On other routes, including the central reservation along Moss Bank Way, Smithills, between Doffcocker and Old Kiln Lane have also become overgrown.

Motorists and opposition councillors say more money needs to spent to tidying up the borough's roads. Sean Hornby, of Marsh Lane, Little Lever, said: "The roads in Bolton are absolutely appalling. The grass on the St Peter's Way section of dual carriageway is, in many places, two to three feet high. You can't see the central reservation rails on most sections of it."

"Many of the town's roundabouts have also become overgrown which block's motorists views."

Another motorist, Joan Johnson, of Higher Leeches Farm, Westhoughton, complained about the state of the A6 along Mansell Way.

Since her complaint, overgrown grass and weeds have been cut, but Mrs Johnson is still angry with the length of time it took to carry out the job. She said: "The grass verges along Mansell Way were full of weeds which were poisonous to horses. I was nearly involved in an accident when I went around a roundabout overgrown with grass."

Counservative Cllr John Walsh, said: "I have been concerned that grass has been allowed to grow and it seems to be low on the council's priorities.

"The key issue is road safety, with the state of some of the grass verges along some of our roads I fear there could be an accident unless something needs to be done."

A spokesman for Bolton Council, said: "The Council has adopted rigorous new national health and safety guidance in relation to any work carried out within 1.5metres of a 50mph or above dual carriageway road.

"This has therefore delayed the grass cutting programme on a number of roads in the borough. We are nevertheless attending to the programme as a matter of urgency."