TRADERS in Westhoughton say the town centre will become a "no-customer" zone for three months while £400,000 improvement work is carried out. The chamber of trade is demanding compensation from Bolton Council for lost earnings to shops and other businesses - which could run into thousands - while the work is done in Market Street. Alan Crompton, of Westhoughton Chamber of Trade, said members were concerned over the length of time Market Street would be closed.

"They want to know if there are any plans to compensate the members on Market Street for loss of business," he added.

He called for the council to make the contractors work weekends to speed up the job.

Improvements include wider pavements and narrow entrances at both ends of the street to restrict traffic volume.

A new surface will be laid on pavements and bus-friendly flat-topped speed humps put in the road.

Improvements will also be made to the pedestrian link to Cricketers Way car park.

But the project has come under fire with traders criticising the narrowness of the street.

They said it only needed a vehicle to break down block all town centre traffic.

And they also criticised Bolton Council planners for apparently forgetting to allow for an unloading bay outside Westhoughton Market.

Janet Wood, of K&S Wood Newsagents, said: "It's just ludicrous.

"Basically nobody thought they would need to unload outside the market. Thousands of pounds must have been wasted redoing it.

"Somebody in the planning department wants shooting."

A Bolton Council spokesman said: "We have spoken to traders about the scheme and most of them are quite happy with what we are doing.

"The works at Market Street are being carried out between June and August to improve the pedestrian and shopping environment.

"There is no provision within the Highways Act for providing compensation."

He said the council did not normally insist on weekend working because it would cost more money.

And he added a pelican crossing had been the cause of problems with the loading bay at the front of the market.

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