A RENEWED effort has been made to impose a 7.5-tonne vehicle restriction in a village because heavy-goods vehicles are "creating a problem".

A town councillor called for the proposal to be discussed after complaints about lorries driving through the centre of Blackrod after coming off the motorway instead of using the A6 Blackrod bypass.

According to Cllr John Price, North Ward representative, the issue had been raised in the past but nothing was done about it.

Cllr John Price said: "Why can't we in Blackrod protect ourselves? I was in the village and in 50 minutes, seven HGVs came to the village from both directions.

"It's really creating a problem. They are coming off the motorway and instead of going along the A6 they come through the village.

"It probably is a shorter route for them, but I think it is creating a problem for us.

"We need to get more control of this village. No wonder we're constantly repairing the roads, they are being ripped up.

"There are vehicles coming through and doing hill starts on Chorley Road, which is ripping the road up.

"We have problems with parking, which we know about all too well, and at times it is quite dangerous. Some of these vehicles are not doing 20mph."

He also raised the problem with cars "absolutely covered in dust" in Hill Lane as a result of HGVs driving to and from a housing development.

Cllr Price added: "I understand that the builders have no control over the windy weather, but it is terribly bad."

There were questions raised about the deliveries that were made to businesses in the town and whether a limit would impede the drivers.

But Cllr Price said delivery vehicles could be allowed access under the restriction.

A spokesman from Bolton Council said: "This is not something we would consider. A weight limit on these roads is not practical or enforceable by the police and so would be ineffective."

The item is due to be discussed as an agenda item at the next town council meeting.