TOWN councillors who asked a town hall chief to make transport improvements in Horwich were told: “I don’t have a magic wand.”

The chief executive of Bolton Council, Sean Harriss, said he would not be able to help ease traffic congestion when quizzed by Horwich councillors.

He was visiting the council to discuss the future of the town and answer any concerns they had.

Councillors said there was too much traffic in Chorley New Road, particularly near the Beehive roundabout.

Cllr Stephen Rock suggested that the roundabout could be replaced by traffic lights.

They had previously asked for a traffic survey and management plan, but it had not happened.

But Mr Harriss said every area was suffering the same problem.

He said: “We all know that across Bolton, Manchester and the UK there are high levels of traffic and issues with congestion at rush-hour.

“The amount of traffic reflects the growth of the town. But I do not have a magic wand.”

And referring to the recent No vote against a congestion charge, he added: “There has been a wide-scale debate about whether people are prepared to pay for a greater investment in public transport which might reduce congestion.

“Clearly the view from the public is that this is not the case.”

Councillors also said they felt they were not respected as a town council and not consulted enough.

Mr Harriss said: “From my perspective it does not feel like that. The town council is consulted on issues that affect the parish and that is a routine part of the process.

“We do not always get that right and people have views about that. It may not be of comfort to you but most councillors in most wards say the same thing, they feel that other areas are getting a bigger slice of the cake.”