LARGE trucks will be able to travel along a bridge which crosses a railway in Bolton town centre after of a £1.7 million rebuilding project, which starts on Monday.

Weight restrictions over the last six years have limited vehicles over the Great Moor Street bridge to just one lane of traffic.

But the bridge is being revamped by Network Rail, which manages the rail infrastructure, and Bolton Council, in a scheme which will result in the bridge being strong enough to have 40-tonne heavy goods vehicles to passing over it.

The original Great Moor Street bridge, situated near the former Great Moor Street Station, was built in the early 1800s.

The station was opened during the early development of the rail network, in the days of railway pioneer George Stephenson. It is now the site of Morrison's Supermarket.

A scheme to transform the bridge has been drawn up by Town Hall engineers and the work will be funded by the Bolton Council.

Galliford Try Construction North will be the main contractors.

The rebuilding will take place next year between February and August, but preparatory work starts on Monday.

Motorists will be routed around the bridge area and drivers are being warned to watch out for diversions.

Delays are expected around the bridge and traffic flow will be monitored during the work.

The bridge will stay open for traffic until February when the main works start.

There will be a series of overnight rail closure next April and May while work is carried out.

Anyone with any queries regarding any aspect of the work, should contact Network Rail's National Help Line on 08457 114141 (general enquiries), Galliford Head Office on 01925 822821 (construction issues) or Bolton Council Helpline on 01204 336677.