RESURFACING work that will cost the council £276,000 has started on a major route into Bolton town centre.

The work will be carried out in Bury New Road between the junctions with Castle Street and Bradford Street, and is expected to take about two weeks to complete, subject to weather conditions.

The council says the work forms part of their borough-wide programme to repair and resurface roads.

Council transport chief Cllr David Chadwick has said he accepts the roadworks could cause disruption for people attempting to get in and out of the town centre, but said actions are being taken to minimise the disruption.

He said: “This is one of a number roads in the borough that need doing and I apologise for any inconvenience that it will cause.

“We will aim to carry out the project with minimal disruption and the majority of the work will take place during off-peak hours.

“Resurfacing and repairing roads in Bolton is certainly a priority for us and we would like to do more of it, but we have only got a finite amount of money to spend.”

The money for the Bury New Road project has been provided by the council’s capital budget stream — which consists of money from a central government pot to be used on specific projects.

The programme has seen resurfacing work carried out in areas including Chorley Road, dubbed “the worst road in Blackrod”, where £62,000 was spent filling in potholes.

Another notoriously damaged road, Tempest Road in Chew Moor, is having £176,000 spent on resurfacing after Westhoughton councillor Christopher Peacock won a three-year-battle to get the work done.

Bury New Road will remain open throughout the work, but at certain times it will be necessary to use temporary traffic signals and some lanes may be closed, the council says.

The council also said that residents and businesses will be able to access their properties during the works and have been informed of the plans.

Anyone who wants more information on the work can contact the council’s customer helpline on 01204 336677.