RESIDENTS in one of Bolton's most sought-after suburbs are counting the cost of a bridge closure which has split it in two.

The Railtrack-owned Rumworth Road bridge in Lostock has been closed because experts believe it is not strong enough.

With the rail company struggling financially, the council has been told it could be up to three years before funds are found to bring the bridge back up to scratch.

The closure effectively cuts north and south Lostock in half and means drivers face a diversion via the already busy Beaumont Road.

One of Bolton's biggest pubs, The Lostock Arms, is among the businesses likely to be hit by the traffic trauma.

Landlord David Shaw said: "A lot of people are up in arms about it. This is obviously going to affect my business badly. Some people will think it's not worth the effort getting here."

Commuters using Lostock railway station have started parking in the pub's car park.

Peter Whitehead, owner of P&D Whitehead's newsagents in Junction Road West, is optimistic the bridge closure will have little impact on his shop.

He said business gained from extra passing trade should compensate for any problems. But the diversion means he is already having to spend extra time and petrol money dropping off bags of papers for delivery boys and girls.

"It's a real nuisance," said Mr Whitehead. "I don't think there's an end in sight."

Rumworth Road bridge was reduced to one-way traffic in the Chew Moor direction in May, and Mr Shaw believes the council could have done more to keep it open on that basis.

But a council spokesman said: "Every effort was made to try to keep the road open. Unfortunately, the conclusion reached was that to safeguard the travelling public the bridges and hence the road had to be closed."

Highways chiefs estimate it will be at least two years before the bridge re-opens.