BUS operator First Manchester has accused Bolton Council of issuing insufficient information about roadworks.

The company, which runs the majority of services in the town, claims vague information about anticipated delays makes it impossible to plan ahead.

The firm says if it receives a reasonable estimate it can add extra services to ensure passengers do not have to wait too long between buses, or at least keep customers informed.

Steve Bennett, business unit managing director, said roadworks in St Peter's Way and the closure of Lea Gate, Harwood, for five weeks from yesterday had highlighted the issue.

He said: "In Bolton at the moment we are told the level of disruption will be high, medium or low but when we ask what that means we are told that anything more would be guesswork.

"We see ourselves as professionals in running a business but not in estimating what delays the local authority is going to add on top of normal traffic.

"These concerns have been raised with the council and it's a matter of trying to make sure there is an effective partnership."

Mr Bennett said scientific "traffic modelling" techniques could be used to give more precise estimates of disruption.