DRIVERS are being warned to expect months of disruption while a series of roadworks are carried out in the town centre.

Work has started on a £995,000 redevelopment of Knowsley Street and Oxford Street, to make the area more attractive to shoppers.

The redevelopment, expected to run until August, will include outdoor seating for the Market Place, repaving of both pavements and additional cycle stands.

A new loading bay to serve the Market Place and a small number of short-stay on-street parking bays will also be created, and phone kiosks and trees removed during works will be replaced.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: “Work is under way on the latest regeneration programme to enhance the town centre – we are installing new paving, street lighting and trees on Knowsley Street and Oxford Street.

“The whole scheme is expected to take four months to complete and businesses have been informed. The Knowsley Street bus lane has been closed to enable the work to take place.”

A council report into the development said that disruption to traders and pedestrians will be “kept to a minimum” and access to businesses will be maintained.

Improvement work has also started on nearby St George's Road including full depth reconstruction of the road surface and lining works.

The works are expected to run until May 11, during which time there will be a number of lane closures and a diversion for buses and taxis.

Bolton Council said that there is a high chance of disruption throughout the duration.

A spokesman added: “We are undertaking some maintenance work on St George's Road at the corner with Bridge Street and Higher Bridge Street.

“During this period buses and taxis will not be able to turn into St George's Road from Bridge Street and Higher Bridge Street and will be diverted along Topp Way and Marsden Road back to Blackhorse Street.

“Motorists heading eastbound will be restricted to one lane, and the bus lane on St George's Road will also be closed while this work takes place.”

The town centre redevelopment follows work on Newport Street and forms part of the council’s project to develop a concentrated retail area through its £1 billion masterplan.