MIXED reaction has greeted Bolton's newest landmark - the 60ft arch now dominating the town's skyline.

Workers hoisted the arch into place in Newport Street, Bolton, in the early hours of Sunday.

The archway will be a new gateway to Bolton, welcoming visitors on their way into the town centre from Bolton Railway Station.

It will support a new £3 million bridge carrying traffic and pedestrians over the railway line through Bolton.

One fan of the new bridge - due to open in August - was Patricia Battle, of Knight Street, Bury, who said she was in awe of the arch.

She said: "Had I know what time it was going up, I would have been here to see it put into place. It is fantastic, brilliant.

"To have something like this is just amazing. It is an unbelievable structure. I hope they have a special ceremony to open it.

"If Fred Dibnah had been alive today, he would have loved it and been the perfect choice to officially open the road under the archway."

But the majority of people spoken to by the Bolton Evening News had a different opinion on the arch.

Tommy Smith, aged 60, of Lancaster Close, Bolton, said: "I spent all Monday morning listening to people's views on it - they hate it. If I had a bulldozer I would bring it down!

"It is disgusting, an eyesore. If I was a visitor to Bolton and saw that 'gateway', I would want to get out of the town centre quickly.

"Bolton Council just picked the cheapest option without any regard of how it would look."

Johnny Millin, aged 30, of Moses Gate, said: "It's awful and an eyesore. It is just not in keeping with the area, something like this might look good elsewhere in Bolton but not here."

Cliff Richardson, aged 73, of Marlborough Walk, Great Lever, said: "I don't like it at all - it is a waste of money which could have been spent elsewhere. It is a complete waste of taxpayers' money."

His views were shared by Doreen Aspinall, who said the money should have been spent better on providing services for young people.

She said: "They spend £3 million on this and provide young people with nothing to do. Then they are surprised when they turn to drink and drugs. I am annoyed at this. There are cheaper ways of repairing the bridge."

Jamie Simpson, aged 18, from Bolton, said the "Gateway to Bolton" concept of the arch was ludicrous.

He said: "It is the road to nowhere. The road is one way and is taking people out of the centre.

"How can it be a gateway to the town?"