A CONSTRUCTION company has promised to complete roadworks as soon as possible to put a stop to traffic havoc around Farnworth that has lasted six months.

A new roundabout is being installed in Clegg's Lane, Little Hulton, and frustrated drivers have been left queueing in rush-hour traffic.

The roadworks have continued more than three months beyond schedule.

They are being carried out by Bethell, a Kearsley based company, which admits the project has overrun. Kearsley councillor Bill Collison said he had been inundated with complaints from frustrated residents who were demanding a solution to the problem.

Vehicles have been backing up for one mile towards Buckley Lane at Farnworth and in the opposite direction towards Manchester Road East/Manchester Road West at Little Hulton.

The roundabout is being built to provide better access to Ravenscraig Road, towards the Ashton Field coalyard.

Temporary traffic lights have been installed allowing just a small trickle of traffic to move in each direction.

The roadworks are also causing major headaches for residents in Little Hulton who drive into Bolton.

Cliff Mountford travels down Clegg's Lane every day on his way to work in Kearsley.

He said: "It's horrendous. The delays easily add 30 minutes to my journey in the morning. It's become a joke after more than half a year of this."

Cllr Collison said: "Clegg's Lane is a major route for people to get to different parts of Bolton.

"There's an increasing amount of people who are extremely frustrated by the delays.

"When the queues are at their longest, it can be a complete nightmare."

A spokesman for Bethell said: "Existing services were not moved in time and that stopped us carrying out our work.

"But we are hoping to have the road open by the end of the week, although there will still be some minor works to be finished."