RAILTRACK bosses have agreed to meet a Bolton MP campaigning for the complete refurbishment of a footbridge crossing a busy railway line in Bromley Cross.

Bolton North-east MP David Crausby fears lives are still being put at risk by rotten wooden planks on the footbridge linking Hillside Avenue with Grange Road.

He said only "ad hoc" work has been done on the pre-war footbridge months after the BEN highlighted the problem. Several rotting planks were replaced in June after residents and councillors voiced fears that the 25 feet high bridge had become a deathtrap.

Mr Crausby has now demanded Railtrack conduct a "proper job."

He has also called for an urgent site meeting with officials before Parliament reconvenes on September 24. Railtrack bosses have agreed.

Mr Crausby said in a letter to Railtrack: "Despite constant assurances that the repairs have been undertaken my constituents report regularly that it is still dangerous. We don't want ad hoc repairs. We want a comprehensive refurbishment of this footbridge so that the public are not put at risk.

Mr Crausby's comments have been supported by Bromley Cross councillor Don Carr who, in June, called for the bridge to be shut down completely.

Cllr Carr said: "People are dicing with death walking over that bridge. I can't imagine what would happen if a plank gave way and someone fell onto the track. I would support this meeting 100 per cent."

The railway is part of the Bolton to Clitheroe line which passes through Bromley Cross. At peak times commuter trains travel under the bridge every ten minutes.

The bridge is used by dog walkers, joggers and pupils from Turton High School.

A spokesman for Railtrack said: "We have contacted Mr Crausby and agreed to meet him at the site towards the end of September."

RAILTRACK bosses have agreed to meet a Bolton MP campaigning for the complete refurbishment of a footbridge crossing a busy railway line in Bromley Cross.

Bolton North-east MP David Crausby fears lives are still being put at risk by rotten wooden planks on the footbridge linking Hillside Avenue with Grange Road.

He said only "ad hoc" work has been done on the pre-war footbridge months after the BEN highlighted the problem. Several rotting planks were replaced in June after residents and councillors voiced fears that the 25 feet high bridge had become a deathtrap.

Mr Crausby has now demanded Railtrack conduct a "proper job."

He has also called for an urgent site meeting with officials before Parliament reconvenes on September 24. Railtrack bosses have agreed.

Mr Crausby said in a letter to Railtrack: "Despite constant assurances that the repairs have been undertaken my constituents report regularly that it is still dangerous. We don't want ad hoc repairs. We want a comprehensive refurbishment of this footbridge so that the public are not put at risk."

Mr Crausby's comments have been supported by Bromley Cross councillor Don Carr who, in June, called for the bridge to be shut down completely.

Cllr Carr said: "People are dicing with death walking over that bridge. I can't imagine what would happen if a plank gave way and someone fell onto the track. I would support this meeting 100 per cent."

The railway is part of the Bolton to Clitheroe line which passes through Bromley Cross. At peak times commuter trains travel under the bridge every ten minutes.

The bridge is used by dog walkers, joggers and pupils from Turton High School.

A spokesman for Railtrack said: "We have contacted Mr Crausby and agreed to meet him at the site towards the end of September."