REPAIR work started on Kearsley roundabout on Sunday - more than eight months after a truck smashed into safely railings.

The work was delayed because the council was negotiating with the lorry driver's insurers and had no cash in the budget to repair the damage.

The crumpled safety barrier has been temporarily fenced off but pedstrians and local councillors said that posed safety concerns.

But now the lorry driver's insurers have agreed to fund the work which is estimated will cost around £30,000.

The lorry overturned on the roundabout above the St Peter's Way A666 dual carriageway at the end of May, pushing the railings over the entrance to a subway.

Cllr Bill Collison, who represents Kearsley on Bolton Council, said: "Ive been inundated with calls from local people demanding to know when the repairs would be carried out and Ive been pursuing it with council officers for some time.

"These barriers were put there for a reason when the roundabout was built. Theyre there for the protection of cars and pedestrians below.

"Schoolchildren use this subway and some have been climbing on to the railings, which could give way at any time.

"It is a serious safety issue and it should have been sorted out earlier."

Labour councillor Jim Lord, chairman of the Farnworth and Kearsley Area Forum, said: "We are extremely pleased that the repair work is now being carried out at the roundabout. We do take on board comments received from the public at the area forum and work hard to action their requests."