NEIGHBOURS in a Westhoughton street are celebrating after winning their battle for a barrier to stop yobs using a car park at night.

Campaigning residents in King Street had been trying for months to persuade council bosses to instal a barrier at the entrance to the Central Park car park leading off their street.

Sleepless nights caused by rowdy yobs using the car park as a meeting place, almost drove them to despair.

They claimed the youths would meet night after night leaving car stereos playing loudly, revving engines noisily, drinking and shouting abuse.

Allegations were also made about illegal drug taking.

cars sped up and down to the car park at all hours causing safety concerns among residents.

Their pleas for a barrier to be installed to prevent youths driving onto the car park went unheard, and residents highlighted their plight in Down Your Way.

Almost immediately, the council responded, saying a barrier would be installed.

But weeks later residents joy proved to be shortlived when council officers reneged on their promise.

Yet again, Down Your Way highlighted their plight. Neighbours then united Liberal Democrat town council leader, Cllr David Wilkinson, with Labour's Cllr David Chadwick and MP Ruth Kelly.

Then, almost a month ago council officers said they WOULD be installing the barrier after all. And earlier this week they delivered . . .

A spokesman for the residents said; "I can't believe it. It is finally here.

"I never thought the day would ever arrive that the barrier would actually be installed.

"We can only hope now that it does the trick.

"Our lives have been made hell by the gangs congregating on the car park. Our peace has been shattered, making it impossible to sleep or enjoy any sort of quality of life."

Cllr Wilkinson added: "I am pleased that we have finally got the barrier installed. I hope it solves the problems being suffered by residents, and has an effect on the speeding cars which race past their homes en route to the car park."

A spokesman for Bolton Traffic Unit has also told Westhoughton Town Council, that the local beat officer will be made aware about the problems.