MOTORISTS may be forced to pay congestion charges as part of a massive £260 million plan to cut traffic on the region's motorway network.

A new Government commissioned report recommends "road user charging" as a possible solution to reduce the number of cars clogging-up the region's roads and motorways.

The report concentrates on a multi-million overhaul of the M60 between junctions 12 and 18 -- Eccles to Simister.

And it highlights its junction with the M61, on the outskirts of Bolton, as being one of the worst jam blackspots.

Changes recommended for the stretch of motorway -- used by more than 185,000 drivers on an average weekday -- include a new fourth lane clockwise between Walkden and Worsley and a new bypass of the Eccles junction 12 to segregate local M60 traffic from drivers using the M62.

It also proposes greater investment in public transport and singles out Horwich Parkway's park and ride for expansion.

But Bolton Deputy leader Guy Harkin, vice chairman of the GMPTA, believes not enough attention has been paid to public transport.

He said: "The proposals put forward are sensible but without a proper public transport network we will never really tackle the problem of congestion.

"Bolton is a suburb of Manchester and people need a good train system in and out of the city. For as long as we don't have that, people will continue to use their cars and continue to clog up our roads. Congestion charges are inevitable. There will come a time when people will have to pay to enter towns and cities across Greater Manchester in the same way as Londoners will soon have to pay."

In London, motorists are charged £5 for driving around the central part of the capital.

Bolton driving groups have welcomed the recommended changes but condemned suggestions that drivers should be charges for using the roads. Hugh German, vice chairman of Bolton Advanced Motorists, said: "Changes to the M60 are much needed. It's a well-used road which is often gridlocked and anything which will speed things up is welcomed.

"If they introduce charges though, it won't reduce road users. People have to get around and they will pay."