work to pedestrianise the main street through Atherton town centre will be held back until after Christmas.

The decision has been taken so as not to affect the traders during their busiest time of year.

Pedestrianisation through the centre will mainly affect Market Street, Atherton.

But work to prevent traffic travelling both sides of the church will begin in October or November.

Part of Market Street will be pedestrianised between10.30am and 4pm. During this time no cars or lorries will be allowed to pass through.

However, buses will be permitted to carry on through the street as normal.

Pedestrians living in the town centre were invited to a meeting with ward councillors last week to put forward their views on the scheme.

Cllr Sue Loudon said: "The idea was to meet with residents living in Atherton town centre about the pedestrianisation plans.

"It was an opportunity to hear first hand what their concerns were.

Cllr Sue Loudon said: "It is an unusual situation to have residents living in the town centre. Normally people live on the outskirts, but we have a lot of terraced homes in the centre of the town, so it is important that residents have their say.

"We will be recording all their thoughts and queries and pass them on to the engineers and planners.

"The meeting was a very productive one.

"Items regarding how the one way system will work, and the anomalies that perhaps looking in from the outside wouldn't be obvious, were brought up.

"Work will begin around the church in the Autumn. Then we will wait until after Christmas before making a start on Market Street. This way we will not be affecting businesses' Christmas trade."