A £220,000 scheme to facelift a busy rural road has been given a cautious welcome by residents in Egerton.

work will start for eight weeks on Monday to strengthen the carriageway and refurbish pavements on a stretch of Blackburn Road - the main link road between Bolton and Blackburn.

Council chiefs are hopeful contractors will avoid working during rush hour but temporary traffic lights and limited access to some streets will occur.

The work will run between the Dimple Bus terminus to the north of the Egerton and the borough boundary just south of Stones Bank Road.

Mike Jackson postmaster at Egerton Post Office said: "With the amount of traffic that comes up and down this road the work will have a significant impact. But if they are doing it out of rush hour then it may be all right - it may help reduce queuing.

"It is a very good idea and I know that they pavements are a bit grim. We also get a lot of walkers up here so it will be good news for them."

Landlady at The Cross Guns Inn Michelle Walker predicted problems for customers and motorists, adding: "The road is very busy and everyone uses it." A spokesman said the Council would undertake the work as quickly and safely as possible and asked motorists to be patient during the work.

Blackburn Road is one of the oldest and busiest roads in the borough. The work is the final phase of major maintenance which has been carried out over the last few years.

For details contact the Council's Engineering Consultancy on 01204 336677.