BUS stands at Newport Street will be closed temporarily next week as building work on the new Bolton Interchange steps up a gear.

Stops A, B and C at the interchange will be shut from Monday until Sunday, May 25, meaning buses on six routes will depart from other stops nearby.

The work will pave the way for the £48 million Bolton Interchange, a new bus station next to the existing train station in Trinity Street.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), which is responsible for the project, said it was necessary to close the road so workmen can access the area.

A spokesman said: “They will be taking samples to see what the ground conditions are like, which is standard procedure when carrying out building work.

“Because they are taking it from the carriageway, it’s going to disrupt the buses that usually park there.”

Buses affected include services 519 from Johnson Fold, 538 from Bromley Cross and Wigan routes 575 and 576, which will use different stops in Newport Street.

Meanwhile the exit stop in Great Moor Street will be used for the 525, which serves Halliwell and Astley Bridge, the 526 to Smithills, and the 535, which goes to Belmont.

Stand D in the interchange, located in Newport Street, will remain open and be used as normal by buses 22, 36, 68, 500, 501, 512, 551, 570, 571 and 572.

Buildings along Great Moor Street have already been knocked down as part of the project, which is set to be finished next year.

Since March, self- portraits created by fine art and textile design students at the University of Bolton have decorated the hoardings around the building site.

Information about the bus stop changes has also been posted at the affected terminals and in the interchange.

Full information on public transport across Greater Manchester is available at tfgm.com and by calling Traveline on 0871 200 2233.