Horwich councillors plan to keep an eye on a busy roundabout when a controversial new hotel opens nearby next month.

The Punch Travel Inn Company hopes to open the new 60-bedroom Travel Inn hotel, next to the Beehive pub, on Chorley New Road, on February 5.

The plans for the hotel were passed in June last year by a Government inspector after being previously turned down in November 2001 by Bolton Council.

The council received letters of complaint about the application from local residents, who feared that the hotel would cause traffic and noise problems.

The highways department did not raise any objections to the site of the hotel despite five accidents outside the pub during the past three years.

Horwich councillor Bob Ronson said that he and his colleagues would keep an eye on the amount of traffic using the busy roundabout to see if the new development causes any problems.

Residents and councillors are worried that the already-congested area could be badly affected when Bolton Wanderers play at the Reebok Stadium.

Cllr Ronson said: "We have already expressed concerns about road markings on the the roundabout facing the hotel.

"Strangers to the area could end up going straight across the roundabout, and we feel that much better signs are needed.

"We will most definitely be keeping an eye on the situation."

The 60-bedroom hotel is now finished, and staff will soon be recruited.

Neighbours and councillors still insist the hotel will look out of character with the surrounding area, destroy the privacy of surrounding houses and cause traffic congestion.

But the Government inspector, Robert Sexton, said he did not believe the hotel would cause problems for nearby residents.