PLANS to erect a glass screen between councillors and members of the public in the town hall will go ahead.

Bolton Council revealed proposals last month to build a glass screen at the front of the council chamber’s public gallery, as a health and safety measure to stop people falling over the balcony.

The plan prompted an outcry from members of the public, who were concerned that it would restrict their involvement in local democracy.

However, members of the council’s planning committee have now expressed their support for the proposal.

At a meeting on Wednesday, council leader Cliff Morris said: “It would be nice not to do this, but it would be nice not to do a lot of things in this world that we live.

“It might be that nothing happens, but now we have been informed of this issue we have to do something.

“At the end of the day, this is about health and safety, and we only need one accident to happen and we would be to blame.

“I do not want that on my conscience.”

Cllr Nick Peel added: “I have been extremely alarmed to see jostling between rival groups of people on the balcony.

“I held my breath once because I did think someone was going to topple over the edge.

“It is incredibly important — we have been alerted to the problem and we have to respond.

“To not respond would be a dereliction of duty.

“I have heard from a number of social media sites the most ridiculous things — that this would affect fire escape options. People are actually arguing that an option in a fire is to hurl yourself from the balcony.”

Cllr Roger Hayes said that, while he had issues with the idea of the screen, he had no objection to the planning application itself.

UKIP leader Sean Hornby also approved of the application, saying that it was important for the safety of the councillors and members of the public.

Astley Bridge councillor John Walsh suggested that erecting a higher railing on the balcony would solve the health and safety issue in a simpler way, and said the screen was “a knee-jerk reaction” that had not been thought out.

Conservative colleague Bob Allen agreed, and asked that the decision be deferred to consider alternative options.

Cllr Linda Thomas, the deputy council leader, said that if glass screens were good enough for Parliament then they were good enough for Bolton Council.

The formal decision over the screen has been deferred to the council’s Director of Place, Stephen Young, as the public consultation period runs until April 13.