MOTORISTS in Westhoughton could face commuter chaos when bridge repairs are carried out on one of the town's major roads.

The carriageway width of the Park Road will be reduced for six weeks from September 11 when a parapet on Wade Lane Bridge is replaced.

Council chiefs are hoping to keep disruption to a minimum, but a councillor fears it could cause more traffic jams on the road which is already gridlocked at peak commuter times.

Westhoughton Cllr David Wilkinson fears that it could leave drivers fuming.

He said: "It will be a traffic nightmare. The roads of Westhoughton are so clogged with cars that it only takes a minor incident to bring the whole town to a standstill.

"Yet again, this demonstrates why we must not allow any more development in Westhoughton."

It will be the latest of a long series of road works on Park Road in recent years which have brought traffic chaos for drivers.

"At one point, part of the road was closed for weeks while sewer repairs were carried out."

The work will replace a steel bridge parapet with brickwork.

Cllr Wilkinson said: "No doubt it will look very pretty once the work is done but it will cause problems while it is being carried out."

The work to Wade Lane Bridge has been planned for some time as a result of a

detailed structural assessment that identified work necessary to repair and

upgrade the bridge to meet current highway loading requirements.

A council spokesman said: "Every effort will be made to ensure that the travelling public and local residents will encounter minimum disruption and inconvenience."

For further information motorists are being asked to contact the Engineering Consultancy Helpline on 01204 336677.