AN ACCIDENT blackspot will undergo a £340,000 transformation to improve road safety.

In the last five years there have been 20 recorded accidents along Bradford Street, near Bolton town centre.

Bolton Council will now implement a new set of safety measures alongside extensive resurfacing work, which is due to start on July 24.

In response to four crashes that have taken place at the junction of Bradford Street and Bromwich Street, traffic islands will be installed between Castle Street and Bromwich Street.

‘No entry’ signs will also be installed at the entrances to Radcliffe Road and Portugal Street from Bradford Street, after five collisions at the junction of Bradford Street and Radcliffe Road.

A ‘no right turn’ will also be in force from Crawford Street to Bradford Street.

Cllr Nick Peel, said: “This is a heavily-used major route which we are upgrading to make it better and safer for all users.

“Road safety is incredibly important to us and thanks to funding from the Greater Manchester Casualty Reduction Partnership we are now able to address safety concerns. We have programmed the work to keep Bradford Street open as much as possible but we will have to close the road at certain points.

“We understand that this is not ideal but we have timed the closures to take place over the school holidays, as we appreciate the impact of this scheme..”

Bradford Street will be closed in both directions between St Peter’s Way and Castle Street on July 29 and 30, and August 5 and 6.

Castle Street will close at its Bradford Street junction on August 12, 13, 19 and 20.

From August 14, a one way system will be in operation for two weeks on Bradford Street between Castle Street and Bury New Road. This will mean traffic heading towards Bury Road will travel along Bradford Street and Bolton-bound traffic will use Bury New Road.

The work is expected to finish by the end of August, subject to weather conditions.