THE FIRST fast-track bus route in Greater Manchester, along the 13 kilometre corridor from Bolton to Leigh, should be up and running early in the new Millennium. And as well as bus-only lanes, buses will be fitted with electronic devices to change the traffic lights to green more quickly as they approach. The development is part of the Quality Bus Routes programme designed to make public transport quicker, easier and an attractive alternative to the car by giving buses their own lane at peak periods, freeing them from traffic congestion.

And if it is successful, it could help to shape future public transport schemes throughout the whole of Greater Manchester.

Already around 200 kilometres of bus routes have been earmarked for similar treatment.

As one of the busiest routes in Greater Manchester, the 582 service -- from Bolton town centre through Daubhill, crossing the A6 at Over Hulton and continuing through Atherton, Howe Bridge and on to Leigh -- has been chosen to pilot the scheme.

Buses currently face delay by kerbside loading and unloading in the shopping areas and by cars parked on the roadside.

But this will end by establishing bus only lanes on the majority of the route with dedicated parking bays alongside to allow residents and shoppers to park.

Other innovations include traffic signals being activated on a bus's approach so it gets the green light and priority through the junction.

And the siting of bus stops is being reviewed to to ensure they are in the best place to attract the most passengers.

As part of a consultation exercise, information packages explaining the changes have been distributed to 6,000 homes and businesses along with a questionnaire and details of exhibitions and public meetings.

Bill Tyson, Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive's special projects co-ordinator, and an adviser to John Prescott said: "The purpose of the consultation exercise is to see what people think of our proposals, find out what problems they have with the service and how it can be dealt with.

"We have identified 20 routes covering 200km throughout the county which we believe need to be improved."

"And working as a partnership with the council and bus operators we can make this work."

Once the proposals are given the go-ahead, improvements to what transport chiefs call "the corridor" between Leigh and Bolton will be staggered and should be completed by spring 2000.

Anyone who wants to find out more about the pioneering scheme should visit exhibitions in the Crush Hall at Bolton Town Hall tomorrow, Saturday November 7, from 10am to 4pm and Monday November 9, 10am to 6pm; Heathfield Primary School, Henniker Road, Bolton from Tuesday November 10 to Thursday 12, 4pm to 7pm.

And you are invited to have your say at a public meeting at Bolton Town Hall on Monday November 9 at 7.30pm where representatives from the council, GMPTE and bus operators will be available to answer your questions.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.