ANGRY residents claim a temporary police blockade of a busy Bolton road when Wanderers play at home has created a traffic headache.

One side of the A6027 dual carriageway spur-road between the A6 and junction six of the M61 has to be blocked for a maximum 30 minutes when the Reebok match finishes.

Police chiefs say they've been forced to close part of the carriageway on match days for safety reasons as thousands of fans leave the stadium.

But nearby residents say the road closure is causing large traffic jams and snarl-ups in the area.

Brian Town, of Dicconson Lane, Four Gates, says motorists on the A6 are the worst hit, facing long traffic tail-backs after the final whistle has been blown at recent Reebok matches.

He added: "People heading from the stadium towards the motorway have not got a problem getting onto the M61 either north or southbound.

"Drivers on the A6 are suffering the most and are just stuck in traffic. There's no warning about it or any diversion signs. You can tell from their faces that they're not happy."

But Superintendent Ian McLoughlin of Bolton police said they'd been forced to close the road for a short time after one pedestrian was slightly hurt following a collision with a car.

He added: "There have also been a number of near misses in recent weeks so for the safety of pedestrians the road has been temporarily closed.

"The numbers of pedestrians are so great after the match ends that many of them walk in the carriageway itself. It is a question of safety and there's no other reason.

"Only one side is affected - the carriageway which heads towards Horwich - and it is only shut for a maximum of 30 minutes."

Plans are being discussed for a footbridge over the section of road affected, meaning it will not have to be closed in the future.

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