COUNCILLORS fear Railtrack's financial crisis could delay vital work on key Bolton bridges until at least 2004.

The Railtrack-owned road bridges are not strong enough to cope with potential traffic, especially heavier lorries now allowed on the road.

Bolton's highways chiefs have been forced to implement closures and weight restrictions on the affected bridges -- including a main route to the town's hospital -- but they are powerless to start strengthening work until Railtrack provides its share of the money. This figure is expected to run into millions of pounds.

The restrictions being imposed on existing roads over railways are described by engineers as "interim precautionary measures" but are causing traffic headaches across the town.

The timescale on works starting, even before Railtrack went into liquidation, was expected to be two to three years. And the worry is now, despite talks continuing, whether this could be pushed back because of other priorities.

A new Railtrack company is to be formed but this has not yet happened and until then they are trying to operate business as usual.

A legal loophole means Railtrack is only required to pay for repairs ensuring structures can carry vehicles weighing up to the old limit of 24 tonnes and it says all the bridges will be above this.

But even if the council ends up footing the bill, full co-operation is required by the rail company before works can begin.

Council leader Bob Howarth says the situation is discouraging, particularly when the old company is not paying up.

"It is a concern for us. But we are continuing our efforts and will keep at them," he said.

"I expect when the new company is set up the priority is going to be the westcoast main line.

"At the moment we are concentrating on St Peter's Way. We can see the end of the problems there and we are on the last stretch. "

The £850,000 St Peter's Way scheme, which includes installing new crash barriers and strengthening the bridge, is due to finish mid December.

A spokesman for Railtrack said that projects already under way will be going ahead when the new company is formed, particularly if there are safety issues.

Green Lane Bridge has already had emergency structures put in place -- but he said work on all other bridges is unlikely to start before 2004.

The weakest links

Green Lane, off Manchester Road: Three tonne weight limit. Limited use reintroduced following investigations by the council and Railtrack. Rail company says its liability is limited to 7.5 tonne restriction. Proposals for electrification and improvements for pedestrian users.

Lostock Junction/Rumworth Road, Lostock: Closed. This has split Lostock in two.

Newport Street. Open to buses and taxes. Shut to traffic from the Great Moor Street end spelling diversions for users of Trinity Street Railway Station. Temporary supports installed by Railtrack carriageway restricted.

Bradshawgate and Great Moor Street. Weight restrictions are in force barring heavier lorries. No major traffic problems reported.

Great Moor Street -- one way, road narrowing taken place to shift the weight away from the edges of the bridge.

Dobb Brow Bridge, Westhoughton, still open. Contingency plans in place in event of restriction and on-going monthly inspection by both the council and Railtrack.