BOLTON'S roads will not be ready to take the new super-HGVs due to hit Britain in 1999.

Hundreds of bridges and even some main roads simply won't be able to take the strain - and there will not be the money available to strengthen them before the 40-tonne lorries start rolling.

Engineers have warned they will be forced to introduce weight restrictions to keep the massive lorries off a number of routes unless they receive more money to strengthen a further 203 bridges. Highways chiefs received just £1m from the government despite asking for £4.53m towards this year's programme.

They have warned councillors: "If the level of settlement were to be maintained at this level, there would be a need to impose weigh limits on town centre roads and other primary routes throughout the borough by the time 40 tonne vehicles appear on the roads on 1 January 1999."

Councillors were told Bolton is not alone and the bridge strengthening programme is behind target nationwide.

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