THE speed limit on a busy town centre road is to be slashed to 20 miles per hour as part of a £100,000 improvement scheme.

Westhoughton’s awardwinning market will also be given a makeover and parking on and around Market Street will also be changed in a bid to attract more people to the town centre.

As part of the plans, a “build-out” near the traffic lights at the end of Market Street and Bolton Road will be removed and drop kerbs on either side of King Street will be improved. Cllr David Chadwick said: “This is welcome investment into Westhoughton town centre.

“These improvements will help residents, shoppers and businesses in the town centre.”

Further investment is planned for Westhoughton later in the year with the resurfacing of Wigan Road from Cricketers Way to Wearish Lane.

Bolton Road from Manchester Road to Market Street is also likely to be included in the works.

The investment plans also include improvements to Westhoughton Market.

This includes painting the front, repairing the automatic doors with a push button system and upgrading the parking area.

Permanent and mobile heaters will also be installed.

Cllr Christopher Peacock said: “We have an award-winning market in Westhoughton to be proud of, but we as ward members are always looking at making it even better.

“These improvements will certainly do that.”

Westhoughton Market was on the brink of closure last April, with only six of the stalls filled.

Now all 33 are occupied and there is a waiting list for businesses which want to come in. The market was named the best small indoor market by the National Association of British Market Authorities earlier this year.

Traders have put their success down to working together and to the support of Jackie Casey, Bolton’s markets manager.