A MULTI-million pound scheme which could see journey times from Leigh to Manchester cut by a third has had part of its route approved.

A Government inspector said that work to build a guided bus route on the A580 East Lancashire Road could go ahead, irrespective of whether permission is given for further sections of the project.

If the whole scheme gets the go-ahead, a bus-only lane would be built between Leigh and Manchester and buses could be running within four years.

The decision on whether to build the bus route will now be made by Salford Council, which has already passed plans for road works and a park and ride site. Two public inquiries have been held into the scheme, which would include a guided section on the former Leigh-Tyldesley-Ellenbrook railway line.

Estimated construction cost has risen to £33.6 million and the Government has given provisional blessing subject to full approval and set allocated funding of £25.9 million.

Although anti-busway protesters claim what is planned is a poor substitute for the Metrolink those in favour suggest it would bring many benefits to Leigh.

Pro Busway campaigners Frank and Pat Parkinson, of Birch Street, Tyldesley, welcomed the inspector's findings.

Mr Parkinson said: "It's looking good. I think people will eventually appreciate what a brilliant idea the busway is. Those who say country walks will be ruined will be surprised -- everything will be replanted with better paths and bridleways."

But Pat Lummis, of Wareing Street, fears a busway would fail. He said: "I think it will happen but won't get the support needed to be viable. It will become a road with development alongside and the Green Belt will disappear. Rail or Metrolink would work. It may be a bigger cost but it would be more far-sighted than this stop-gap measure."