NEW plans have been unveiled to move a crucial access road closer to Bolton Market ahead of a multimillion pound redevelopment.
The proposal, lodged by Bolton Council will see the access road off Moor Lane moved five metres nearer to the market and will also involve making more space for outdoor stalls by moving the waste compound.
A plan to move the access road had already been announced by the council, with the plans released this week the first opportunity for the public to examine them in detail.
The council has lodged details on its plan for access into Bolton Market
A Bolton Council spokesperson said: "This planning application is to relocate the access road ahead of the planned development of 208 town centre houses, and upgrades to the market, as part of the wider town centre regeneration plan for Bolton.
"The current plan is to move the access road five metres closer to the market and relocate the waste compound to provide the space for the outdoor market to move closer to the new housing development.
"We are working to minimise impact on the car park and for customers of the market.
"We will be creating a new public space that can be used for additional car parking or events and will also make it easier for pedestrians to access the markets, therefore increasing footfall and trade."
The access road will be moved five metres closer to Bolton Market
The plans for access to the market will come as part of the Moor Lane development project, itself part of a wider masterplan to remake Bolton town centre.
Work on the project is due to begin in Spring 2022 and will see the old bus station transformed into housing, with the market being upgraded as part of the plans.
Market traders had previously expressed concerns about how the redevelopment programme could impact their livelihoods, but planners have moved to address such fears, saying that the move will help improve trade.
A council spokesperson said: "This is excellent news for traders and stall holders alike and is part of the planned upgrades being undertaken with money from the Towns Fund.
"In total, £5.59million will be spent on Bolton Market.
"This will revitalise the market area and kick-start the town centre recovery programme."
Bolton Council has also said that the current car park will survive the development.
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