TRAVEL in Bolton and Wigan is to receive a £14 million boost after regional transport chiefs agreed to match government investment of £7 million.

The government cash injection is to compensate the towns for not being included in the plans to extend the Metrolink tram extension and the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority Policy Committee has now pledged to invest the same amount in travel in the two areas.

The money has been earmarked to fund a whole range of schemes, including the a new transport interchange for Bolton town centre and a £1 million plan to turn Churchgate into a pedestrianised area. The investment had been put in doubt when the Metrolink expansion plans were shelved last year.

But the announcement by the GMPTA confirming of the matched funding means that the borough will receive at least six years of money from a 10-year compensation scheme worth £35 million. It is still not known whether Bolton will get the final four years' funding, worth £15.5 million, which is still subject to discussions with the Department of Transport.

Cllr Nick Peel, Bolton spokesman on the GMPTA, said: "I am delighted that due to the efforts of local MPs, funding has been confirmed for the next few years."