BOLTON'S transport chiefs have been given almost £7 million to sort out the town's roads and bridges.

The Government local transport settlement has been hailed as good news for the town and will see a range of schemes get the go-ahead.

Top of the list is a £1m major road reconstruction scheme for Beaumont Road -- which has fallen into a dangerous state of disrepair.

Around £2million is expected to be spent on strengthening some of the town's weak bridges and other resurfacing schemes in a rolling programme, most likely Bradshawgate tunnel and Green Lane bridge.

More than £1.5million will be spent locally on road safety schemes, including traffic islands, safer routes to schools, improved junctions and pedestrian and cycle safety measures, but the exact details are not yet decided.

And all bus stops between the town centre and the hospital are being improved, provided with shelters and passengers will have up to the minute 'real time' information on how long the next bus is going to be.

The council cash is in addition to £9.4million given to Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority and its partners for the Greater Manchester Northern Orbital Bus Corridor. This scheme will provide a "quality" public transport link between Bolton, Bury and Rochdale.

"It is all good news for Bolton," said Council transport officer Paul Goodman. "The figure is around what we were expecting and will enable us to carry out a wide range of schemes across the town.

"We are very pleased to see the Greater Manchester bus corridor get the go-ahead."

Bolton's cash is part of a £323million package for the North-west and will be used to implement phase two of the Council and partners' local transport plan.

Major resurfacing works on Chorley New Road, the Link Road and St Peters Way have all been completed as part of phase one.