WORKERS will be tempted to ditch their cars and cycle to work by improved bike lanes - at least that is the hope of councillors.

In the latest bid to cut traffic on Westhoughton's busy roads, three footpaths have been earmarked for a scheme which would turn them into cycle tracks for people working on Wingates Industrial Estate.

The paths, which link Wesley Street and Peel Street to the southern end of the estate, would be widened and resurfaced to make them more bike friendly.

Councillors say the scheme would encourage hundreds of car users to abandon their motors and help cut congestion.

Cllr David Wilkinson, Bolton Council's executive member for the environment, said: "The scheme is aimed at encouraging people to cycle to work on safer routes.

"They would have to be improved by widening, resurfacing and lighting but they would certainly make it possible for people to ride to work and safer for those who walk to work. We would also hope it might take some of the pressure off the road network."

The funding for the scheme would be provided by the European Development Zone, which funds projects in the Bolton West Industrial and Commercial Development Enterprise (Bolton WIDE), but will first have to be approved by town councillors who are due to discuss the plan on Monday night.

Cllr Wilkinson said there were some concerns about removing barriers at each end of the paths because it could attract youngsters who ride motorbikes.

He added: "The only concern we have is that they would be used for other activities such as youngsters gathering or riding motorbikes.

"We are very keen to encourage people to use alternative forms of transport. If you don't put the facilities there you don't know whether people will use them."