RESIDENTS are demanding urgent repairs are carried out on a road they have dubbed the worst in Bolton.

They say that the state of Hulton Lane, Over Hulton, is putting both drivers and pedestrians at risk.

The road is littered with potholes, cracks and deep ruts, and in some places the old Victorian cobbles can clearly be seen below the gaping tarmac.

Neighbours have reported being hit by flying chunks from the road thrown up by passing traffic and losing control of their vehicles as a result of the poor state of the road.

A £600,000 repair scheme was due to be carried out last year but was shelved because of a lack of money

Neighbours are now demanding that officers carry out their promise to complete the work this year.

Their move follows a report in the Bolton Evening News on Monday that the council's highways budget will be cut by around £400,000 over the next financial year, a move that officers say will be offset by other initiatives.

Computer worker James Whelan, aged 28, of the Normanby Street, says he fears for his safety when using the road on his scooter after nearly coming off his vehicle when it hit a deep rut.

He said: "It is bad enough driving in a car along this road let alone attempting it on two wheels. You either have to slalom to avoid the potholes or take your chances in the middle of the road.

"It is an accident waiting to happen and the council is facing a huge litigation bill if someone is hurt."

Retired environmental health officer Anthony Boddy, aged 64, who lives in Hulton Lane, claims he was hit on the head by a small piece of road which had come loose and was thrown up by a passing lorry.

He said: "Enough is enough. This must be the worst road in Bolton and something needs to be done now before someone is more seriously hurt."

Kevin Wheeldon, of nearby Beaumont View, said the worst part of the road was at its junction with Chip Hill Lane.

Mr Wheeldon, aged 26, said his car had slid into the centre of the road when it caught a patch of loose gravel which had broken loose from the road.

"It is just dangerous. The road has worn through to the cobbles in some places. Yet this road is regularly used by buses and ambulances," he said.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said funding had been made available in the 2005/6 financial year's budget to carry out a restructuring and resurfacing of the road and it was considered to be of the "highest priority".

Another £80,000 wouldalso be spent carrying out traffic calming on the road, although he said speed humps would not be installed.

He added: "The council is aware of the problems on Hulton Lane and repairing the road is one of our biggest priorities."