ANGRY drivers fed-up of misery on the borough's roads have bombarded the BEN with letters complaining about the problem.

Increasing numbers of frustrated motorists have blasted town hall bosses for the crippling situation on the roads which has led to long rush hour delays.

Here, in an open letter to the public, the man responsible for co-ordinating road repairs across Bolton replies to readers:

The assistant director of highways and engineering Jeff Layer says he sympathises with motorists but explains that some road repairs have to be completed within tight deadlines to comply with government spending rules.

He also explains that some of Bolton's roads and bridges are in "desperate" need of repair and the road works must be done as soon as possible.

Mr Layer also answers specific criticisms about work at Plodder Lane and Victoria Road. IN recent weeks there have been a number of letters of complaint regarding the disruption caused to motorists as a result of the numerous road works around the Borough.

I would therefore like to have this opportunity to explain to your readers the council's approach to the co-ordination of works.

First, can I say I can understand the annoyance felt by motorists attempting to negotiate the road works. We recognise that in times of peak flow, particularly the morning and evening rush hours, that delays are occurring and the frustration this causes and we do sympathise with you.

In authorising road works, Bolton Council has a statutory duty to co-ordinate works, both those it promotes itself, as well as those undertaken by public utilities (gas, water, electricity etc).

This duty does extend to agreements on timing of works to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum. Utilities also have a duty to co-operate with the council to ensure that disruption is minimised.

However, what Bolton Council cannot do is prevent legal entities such as public utilities from undertaking their work and improving the quality of services to local people.

Similarly Bolton Council has a duty to provide safe highways and bridges for the travelling public and therefore need to undertake maintenance works ourselves so that the council is not in breach of its duty of care to the travelling public.

Officers of Bolton Council do take their responsibilities seriously and regular planning and co-ordination meetings are held involving all parties, including Greater Manchester Police to ensure that when works are being carried out the interests of motorists and other road users are given major consideration.

So you might ask, "Why is there so much disruption?"

Well the answer lies in the fact that, as the BEN and its readers regularly point out, many of Bolton's roads and bridges are in a very poor state of repair.

Over the years they have suffered from significant increases in traffic volumes and loads and are in desperate need of repair before some of them fail or collapse.

In response to demands for action Bolton Council has secured funds and is now attempting to reverse the deterioration.

Unfortunately because of Government rules money has to be spent within the year that it is allocated and this does constrain us when carrying out schemes.

Similarly, utilities need to replace their old cables and pipes so that essential services such as gas, water and electricity can be maintained to the high quality demanded by their customers.

When planning works we are very conscious of the requirement to consider the needs of motorists and we do attempt to plan work in a way that avoids disruption, (including carrying out some essential maintenance work at night).

For example, the current works on St Peter's Way were planned to coincide with the M61 works undertaken by the Department of Transport, because this reduces the total time that works will be taking place on this stretch of road and hence the total time when this stretch of road is disrupted and motorists delayed.

Had we waited and carried out the bridge works after the M61 works had finished then motorists would have be confronted with delays over a much longer time period.

It is the view of many experts that total disruption is less when two or more works in close proximity are carried out simultaneously rather than when carried out consecutively.

In answer to specific criticisms made by your readers:

Plodder Lane:

Transco, not Bolton Council, is carrying out these works. The company should have finished the job a number of weeks ago but due to unforeseen circumstances completion has been delayed. The Department of Transport and Regions, not Bolton Council, is carrying out the work on the M61 and we have no control over the timing of these works.

We accept that motorists face unreasonable delays and the council is doing all it can to encourage Transco to complete the works quickly and so reduce the disruption on Plodder Lane and access roads to the motorway.

Victoria Road:

Bolton Council is carrying out these works which are essential and needed to deal with extensive carriageway failure that will be quite evident to motorists who use this stretch of road.

The period of four months indicated on the signs has been specified for legal road closure purposes. It takes account of the fact that the contractor will not be able to work during the two weeks spanning Christmas, (when the road will be open to traffic), and because we are required to ensure that while construction work is in progress local people are able access to their homes. This clearly slows down progress. Providing weather conditions are favourable we would hope to have the work complete well within the four-month period.

In recent months we have been very active in advising motorists well in advance of works that are likely to cause disruption.

Our co-ordinator provides road works information to the BEN that is published each week.

Where major works are being carried out we erect advanced warning signs to advise motorists of possible delays. In addition information can also be obtained by ringing our street works co-ordinator, Bernie Liptrott who is only too pleased to provide information that might assist the public avoid road works in and around Bolton.

Bernie can be contacted by telephone by ringing 01204 336624 or by e-mail bernie.liptrott@bolton.gov.uk

In conclusion, we can give local people no guarantees that delays due to road works, which ultimately are being carried out for the benefit of the travelling public will not occur in the future.

What I can promise is that we will continue to ensure there is full and proper co-ordination between all agencies working on the highway so as to keep disruption to a minimum.