PLANS for a major walking route between Bolton town centre and Doffcocker are set to be put under the microscope.

The Bee Network route would be funded by Metro Mayor Andy Burnham's £160m cycling and walking challenge fund.

Under phase one, which will be focusing on the Halliwell and Smithills areas, traffic calming measures would be introduced and alternatives to motoring promoted.

Plans have been drafted to create a quieter route through residential areas, as an alternative to the A673 Chorley New Road and B6226 Chorley Old Road.

The initial phase would start on Park Street, north of Queen’s Park, and heads west towards Lonsdale Road.

Later phase two would connect the pathway to Doffcocker, with proposed crossing 'to provide safer cycling and walking conditions at key intersections'

Council officials have been working with the local Active Travel Forum and Transport for Greater Manchester to develop the schemes and they now want to hear from residents about the plans.

Cllr Stuart Haslam, the borough's highways cabinet member, said: "We want to make it easier for people to move around these areas by foot or bike, without, of course, hindering responsible motorists who are driving in these areas.

“We welcome people’s views on these projects and the more comments we receive, the more it will help us to shape and develop the schemes.

“We will look at the feedback we receive to refine the concept."

Town hall chiefs say that following a 'scoping and development phase', the council will seek the funds needed to bring each scheme forward.

People wanting to find out more about the scheme or give their views can go online to towntodoffcocker.commonplace.is