SPEED limits could drop to just 10 miles per hour on some Bolton roads in an effort to transform them into pedestrian-friendly zones.

Bolton Council is one of a small group of local authorities earmarked to be at the forefront of a pilot scheme, called Home Zones.

It will give pedestrians priority over cars, without banning vehicles from the road.

The Government has set aside £30million for Home Zones in 20 council areas.

Bolton is hoping to land the full £1.5m available for three 10mph zones at Paulhan Street in Great Lever, Brooklyn Street, Halliwell and Dunoon Drive, Astley Bridge -- all streets near schools and dogged by speeding motorists.

Speed restrictions, which could include speed humps and chicanes, and road markings will discourage motorists from driving too fast. The areas will then be landscaped, with benches and trees to create a more pleasant neighbourhood. Walkways, grassed areas and play areas could also be added.

At the moment local authorities have the power to reduce the limit to 20mph, but if the pilots are successful, new legislation will be handed down. Bolton Council -- which has already implemented 20mph zones in areas of Breightmet, Kearsley, and on the Johnson Fold estate -- is expected to hear by the end of January if it is to be one of the first to try out the radical initiative.

Executive member responsible for road safety, Cllr Michael Kilcoyne said: "We will do whatever it takes to reduce accident levels.

"On roads on estates that do not have strategic links lower speed limits work. It stops them from being used as a rat-run. I welcome anything that will help to reduce accidents."

Home Zones originated almost 20 years ago in the Netherlands, where 6,000 now exist.