Plans have been revealed to transform Bolton's main train station and improve access to all.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has applied to redevelop the "redundant" rail/bus interchange outside the main entrance to Bolton train station to create a new carriageway incorporating a new taxi-rank, two-way cycle path and relocation of the drop off/pick up point away from Trinity Street.

TfGM say this "project is all about improving access" and will better link the currently under construction CYCLOPS junction at Newport Street with Trinity Street through to Great Moor Street.

The new cycle track will then continue down Trinity Street, in place of the existing drop off area to a proposed new CYCLOPS junction at Bradshawgate with Trinity Street and Manchester Road.

A spokesman for TfGM said: "This is aimed principally at improving journey times and reliability for buses and general motorists along a strategic corridor linking Bolton and to Salford with the Regional Centre.

"Newport Street has always been a barrier to getting cycle access from the south to the town centre as it is a one way street travelling south.

"This will enable the often misused drop off area on Trinity Street to be removed and a two way cycle track put in its place between the junctions, improving traffic flow along Trinity Street. This cycle track will then go through the newly developed interchange site and along Newport Street towards the town centre.

"This project is all about improving access. For the cyclists it is removing a barrier to access the town centre from the south.

"For Trinity Street it is removing congestion issues caused by misuse of the existing limited waiting drop off area and improving traffic flow."

Cllr Stuart Haslam, Bolton Council's lead on highways and transport, said he fully backed this plan which come as part of wider plans to improve transport through Bolton.

He said: "It will provide much easier access for people dropping off, and for taxis accessing the station, as well as easing traffic around the area with the CYCLOPS development improving safety for cyclists and pedestrians­ ­— which can only be a good thing.

"There's always been a huge problem dropping off at the corner of Trinity and Newport Street which causes long queues, it's pretty nighmarish for traffic, and this with CYCLOPS is set to very much ease traffic flow there.

"The whole plan is to keep move this along as far as Bury Road to help the flow into and out of Bolton and improve the environment of the area as part of the regeneration.

"I'm totally in favour of it."