Controversial posts separating cycle lanes from traffic on a major Bolton road have been temporarily removed.

'Wand-orcas' were implemented along Chorley New Road last year to prove some safety to cyclists on a traffic heavy road.

However, residents recently spotted that these had been removed from the road within the last few days, with some confusion as to why.

The posts had attracted a number of complaints from residents covering everything from safety, to congestion, to being an eye sore.

This resulted in the stopping of new lanes being installed in the borough so that a public consultation to take place to determine the future viability of the schemes.

The Bolton News: 'Wand orca' cycle lane posts in Chorley New Road (Photo: Henry Lisowski)'Wand orca' cycle lane posts in Chorley New Road (Photo: Henry Lisowski)

Many believed that the consultation had finished and this was the reason the posts had been removed, however, this is not the case and the consultation is still ongoing.

Instead, the posts have been removed so that the Bolton Ironman event, on the weekend of July 2, can run as smoothly as possible.

Heaton and Lostock councillor, Andy Morgan, tweeted: "The wands on Chorley New Road have been removed to facilitate the Iron Man event over the weekend of the July 2. The results of the consultation with regards the cycle lanes (and wands)are expected during July when they will be evaluated and a decision made with regards the scheme."

Cllr Morgan believes the posts should be removed permanently.

The scheme is part of Metro Mayor Andy Burnham's multi-million pound 'Active Travel' initiative headed up by Greater Manchester’s Cycling and Walking Commissioner, Chris Boardman