A MAJOR town centre road has been shut amid fears that a manhole might collapse.

The safety measure was taken yesterday afternoon on a section of Great Moor Street, between Bradshawgate and Bolton Bus Station.

The road is used as the main exit route for buses leaving Bolton Bus Station.

As a result of the closure, services leaving the station are being diverted via Newport Street and on to Trinity Way.

However, Great Moor Street remains open to vehicles heading eastbound from Bradshawgate towards Newport Street.

The Openreach cover has been reported to BT.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said the road was likely to remain closed throughout the weekend, and is expected to be repaired at some point next week.

However, the council would not comment on fears the damage to the manhole might be linked to road improvements completed ahead of the new transport interchange opening in September 2017.

Roadworks were in place on the road for four months in the lead-up to the bus station opening, causing major disruption to drivers. Improvements were made to the junctions, signalling, pedestrian access and road surface in order to help traffic flow.

A one-way lane and bus lane running in the opposite direction were also created, and have been in place ever since.

It meant that drivers were no longer able to turn onto Bradshawgate from Great Moor Street, and must instead use Newport Street and Trinity Street to get on to Bradshawgate.

Traffic is still able to access Great Moor Street from Bradshawgate, heading towards the interchange.