THE busy Chorley-Wigan bus route has received a £190,000 cash boost.

work is expected to start soon on the first six - out of 39 - bus stops.

Improvements will include raised kerb boarding points, and shelters with seats, lights and timetable information.

The work is being co-ordinated with resurfacing work in the area.

Lancashire County Council, winner last month of the Transport Local Authority of the Year Award, approved the spending

Work on the remaining stops between Chorley and the Wigan boundary, most of which will have shelters, is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council is to upgrade the route between the Lancashire border and Wigan.

County Councillor Jean Yates, cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: "These Quality Bus Routes have been a great success elsewhere in the county and now it is time for passengers on the 362 and 395 routes to benefit.

"We know that reliability and timeliness is the key to persuading people to use buses. People will not use them if they think a delay will make them late for work.

"Part of the plan involves parking restrictions at the bus stops so that buses can park tidily without causing other traffic to stop. Everyone will gain by keeping traffic flowing smoothly."

Other improvements are to include extra technology at the Tootell Street/ Moor Road/Pall Mall/Weldbank Lane junction.

The junction is already traffic signal-controlled but pedestrian phases are to be introduced on three legs of the junction.

A selective vehicle detection facility is to be incorporated to give priority to buses.

Kerbs will be raised at the boarding area of the new shelters. Bus shelter lights will switch off at night when buses are not running.