SPEED humps installed just weeks ago as part of a £400,000 Westhoughton town centre improvement scheme will have to be dug up and repaired.

Westhoughton town councillor Brian Clare has criticised the project after four of the block-paved speed humps on Market Street were found to be sinking.

"The bricks are being depressed into the ground as wheels go over them," said Liberal Democrat Cllr Clare.

"I am not a person who makes a lot of noise about nothing but you wouldn't expect a new road to be lifting in such a short space of time.

"It doesn't look too bad yet but if nothing is done then it is going to get worse.

"Bolton Council officials have given us an answer that it is going to be done but the question is when?"

The road humps are specially designed bus friendly versions with flat tops which were installed in four places along Market Street in the summer as part of the town centre improvement scheme.

Other work included making wider pavements and narrowing the road at both ends of the street.

But shortly after the work was completed in August the pavement had to be dug up again and the road made slightly wider at a cost of £1,000 because buses and lorries were struggling to get through.

A spokesman for Bolton Council told the BEN that the council is aware of the problem with the humps and contractors will be moving in this week to try and identify what is causing the problem.

A trial excavation will be carried out to see whether a construction flaw or design fault is to blame and whether the repair costs should be borne by the council or the contractors.

The spokesman said steps will be taken to minimise disruption and the repair work should be carried out within the next few weeks.

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