ONE of Bolton’s busiest roads — currently closed throughout the night for resurfacing work — will be fully open this weekend as the town prepares to host its biggest annual event.

Thousands of people are expected to descend on the town for the four-day Bolton Food and Drink Festival organised by Bolton Council.

And to help visitors’ journeys go as smoothly as possible, contractors working on St Peter’s Way will be standing down just for this weekend.

Overnight road closures, from 7pm to 6am, have been in place since the beginning of July for work on a £7.3 million resurfacing project. This weekend, contractor Eric Wright will work from 7pm on Friday, August 26 to 6am Saturday, August 27.

The A666 will then stay fully open on Saturday, Sunday and Monday nights. Overnight closures will start again on Tuesday, August 30.

Work is due to finish at the end of September and because the project is slightly ahead of schedule, workmen can take the brief break without disrupting progress on the overall scheme.

Cllr Elaine Sherrington, Bolton Council’s cabinet member for highways, said: “This is a bit of good news for motorists.

“We know that the work has been disruptive and as the town prepares to welcome its biggest event, we spoke to the contractors. They’re running ahead of schedule so it made sense to lift the weekend closures.”

The scheme is being funded from a £5.8 million government grant, awarded to the council after a successful bid. The council has also invested £1.5 million into the project.

For more information, residents can contact the council via e-mail highways@bolton.gov.uk.