THREE million pounds is to be spent on safety work on a road considered one of the most dangerous in Bolton.

Extensive resurfacing and safety measures will be carried out along the 2.1km stretch of Beaumont Road.

Council chiefs have decided to carry out the scheme after figures revealed there had been 21 accidents, resulting in 31 casualties, over the last three years.

The road is one of the busiest on the outskirts of Bolton.

It links Chorley New Road and Wigan Road and runs alongside estates in Ladybridge and Lostock.

A mix of speeding vehicles, increased traffic and a sloping road layout in certain areas -- which often catches drivers unaware -- have proved to be a dangerous combination.

In recent years, the accident toll has included one man killed running after a ball in the road; two road accident victims who were badly injured when the car they were travelling in crashed into a lamp post; a teenage boy was left fighting for life after being involved in an a car accident and another

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young boy suffered multiple injuries after a car he was a passenger in crashed into a road sign, before hitting a tree.

Today Cllr Guy Harkin, Bolton Council executive member for the environment, said the number of accidents had made it vital for the work to be undertaken.

In a consultation exercise last year, 92 per cent of all residents questioned said they wanted improvements to be carried out.

Details are still being finalised, but the plans are likely to include resurfacing the entire stretch and possibly creating two lanes in each direction, wider pavements, a cycle lane and additional pedestrian crossing points.

The work is not expected to begin until next year.

Cllr Harkin said £60,000 a year was currently spent on the repair and maintenance of the road, but no major work had been undertaken since it was first built 60 years ago.

He said the £3m would improve safety and bring the road up to the standard of others around Bolton.

He said: "Councillors from all parties will be involved in the discussions. The problems on this road will only get worse if they are not tackled."

Sgt Barry Fairclough, of the Bolton Police traffic unit, said speeding was a problem on the road which has a 60mph limit and poor visibility because of the layout along various sections.