REPAIRS to main roads throughout the town have put the brake on motorists - and turned Bolton into a rush hour "slow-go" area.

The four major road schemes have left Bolton town centre "ringed" by road cones.

Drivers face rush hour misery on the main routes in and out of town.

Highways chiefs say the repair work to the four main roads is urgently needed.

They blame the problems on the increasing amount of traffic now using the town's crumbling highways.

Motorists, though, have been angered by the fact that the four road schemes have been allowed to go-ahead at the same time.

Miseryhas been caused by:

The road widening work at the Moss Bank Way/Halliwell Road junction. The work, which involved lowering the whole of the carriageway, could last for up to 20 weeks.

Structural maintenance work in Crompton Way, between Thicketford Road and Tonge Moor Road. The road has been limited to one lane in each direction. The work will last up to eight weeks. Repair work to the Folds Road and Raikes Lane bridges. St Peter's Way has been limited to one lane in each direction.

Structural maintenance work in Park Road, Westhoughton.

The road is limited to one way traffic - leading towards Bolton. A diversion along Manchester Road, Bolton Road and Cricketers Way is in operation.

There are also delays in Bolton town centre due to sewer replacement work in Great Moor Street. The road is limited to one way only.

One office worker stormed: "It's a disgrace. The journeys to work and home again are a nightmare.

"In Westhoughton we have now had roadworks on four of our major roads in the last six months."

A spokesman for Bolton Council's planning and engineering department said the work was necessary and has to be undertaken while funds were available.

"Because of our funding regime in April this often means that many of our major programmes have to be carried out in the winter. It is unfortunate but the work has to be done."

The spokesman advised motorists to find alternative routes, if possible, or to undertake journeys in plenty of time.

MOTORISTS are being warned to expect delays around Bury as a series of roadworks begin on Sunday.

Higher Lane will be closed on Sunday from the junction with the A56 Bury New Road. On October 15 resurfacing work will start on Bury New Road between Higher Lane and Barns Street, which itself will be closed during the afternoon.

A diversion will operate along Hardman Road and Clyde Avenue where the one-way system will be reversed.

On October 11 work will begin on the central reservation of Angouleme Way forcing one lane to close in each direction.

The work is expected to continue until December and drivers have been advised to find alternative routes.

PAVEMENT improvements are expected to cause problems in Ramsbottom this weekend.

On Sunday, Carr Street will be shut while work continues at the junction with Bolton Street.

But there will be some relief for motorists because temporary traffic lights currently at the main town centre junction should be moved early next week. Some work will continue along Ramsbottom Lane until the middle of November.

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