A MAJOR Bolton road will be shut for at least three weeks as experts battle to make a huge railway viaduct safe.

An emergency operation swung into force after massive chunks of the disused Darcy Lever viaduct rained onto roads and houses - just yards from a primary school.

Radcliffe Road, the main road through Darcy Lever, was closed just before rush hour last night after concrete and masonry fell 100 feet.

Many children walk under the bridge to and from nearby St Stephen & All Martyrs CE Primary.

Metal barricades have been erected at either side of the viaduct and a shielded pedestrian walkway has been made.

Louise Riley, of nearby Woodside Place, said warnings had been ignored after rocks and concrete began falling three months ago.

Louise, 26, said two large blocks of concrete fell into the centre of Radcliffe Road early yesterday morning. "You're frightened to death if you go in your back yard. The size of the rocks that have been falling could kill someone."

She said her neighbour, Alison Howarth, had borne the brunt of the falling rocks.

"It's every other day. She's obviously very concerned for her daughter Alica, who is just two-years-old.

"She must have been on the phone a thousand times complaining about the dangers."

Mrs Riley also said that last year a car was hit by concrete.

"A tragedy has been on the cards for a good while. At least they're doing something about it now but I don't know if I'll sleep soundly until they've finished."

Engineers abseiled down the viaduct to inspect it last week.

British Rail, who are responsible for the viaduct, have instructed the inspectors to check for further loose concrete and to surround the underside of the bridge in steel netting.

Diversions have been sign-posted via Hacken Lane, Manchester Road and Bradford Street.

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