LONG-AWAITED changes to a busy town centre road will come into force on Monday.

The final stage of resurfacing has been taking place this week in Great Moor Street, which has been undergoing major roadworks for the last four months.

From Monday, the temporary one-way system currently in place on Great Moor Street will be removed and a new bus lane will open to help traffic flow when the new transport interchange opens.

The road will remain a one-way route, but traffic will run in the opposite direction than it has since the roadworks began.

The new bus lane will operate in an easterly direction from St Patrick’s Church, in Newport Street, to Bradshawgate.

This will mean that traffic cannot turn on to Bradshawgate from Great Moor Street, and will need to use Newport Street and Trinity Street to get on to Bradshawgate instead.

All traffic will be able to turn onto Great Moor Street from Bradshawgate.

Bolton Council’s cabinet member for transport and highways, Cllr David Chadwick, said: “It is really exciting to see the new Bolton Interchange nearing completion.

“When it opens this work and the dedicated lane will help buses get around the town centre more quickly.

“The interchange, Newport Street and Great Moor Street, along with the new Bolton Central building will form an impressive gateway into the town centre. As always, we would like to thank motorists, residents and businesses for their patience and co-operation while work has been underway.”

The £48 million interchange is due to open on September 3 and will replace the existing bus station in Moor Lane.

There will be further road closures in the town centre this weekend, as work continues to make safety improvements at an accident blackspot.

Bradford Street will be closed in both directions between St Peter’s Way and Castle Street on Saturday and Sunday.

In the last five years there have been 20 recorded accidents along Bradford Street, between St Peter’s Way and Bury Road.

To prevent future accidents the council will introduce ‘no entry’ from Bradford Street on to Radcliffe Road and from Portugal Street on to Bradford Street.

Drivers travelling through Bradshaw and Harwood will also have to endure a second consecutive weekend of closures. Tottington Road will be shut between Back Longsight North and Lea Gate for the latest stage of a £485,000 improvement scheme.

For more information on the closures, contact the council’s customer helpline on 01204 336677 or email highways@bolton.gov.uk