TURNING a busy stretch of Bolton's ring road back into two lanes would create a potential death trap, a leading councillor has claimed.

Deputy Leader of the Council Cllr Guy Harkin has hit back at calls for a stretch of Moss Bank Way between Blackburn Road and Johnson Fold to be restored to two lanes of traffic -- and accused opposition councillors of being irresponsible.

He said: "There have been dozens of people killed on this road. The idea that we put the minuscule needs of drivers before people's lives is ludicrous."

It was changed to one lane and a cycle lane two years ago after a horrific accident when two students were killed. There have been calls from the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats to change it back ever since.

Astley Bridge Conservative Cllr Stuart Lever raised the matter again during a meeting of the full council.

He said: "Frustrated motorists are being held up in traffic congestion and using side roads a rat run -- it is madness."

But according to Cllr Harkin, who is the Executive Member for Environment, the number of accidents has fallen by 33 per cent on the east-bound section of the road and 56 per cent on the west-bound carriageway.

"There has been no reduction in travel times and no deflected traffic," he added.

"If anyone can bring forward any hard evidence to prove otherwise we will deal with it."