TOWN centre traders claim their businesses are being destroyed by delays to two major building projects.

work was due to be completed on the new £3 million arched bridge and rebuilt bus station in Newport Street, Bolton, by the Autumn - but both projects are still unfinished.

Shopkeepers in the road say trade has been decimated by continued disruption to their businesses and that they have been continually kept in the dark about the progress of the schemes.

They are now demanding compensation claiming that the work has killed off passing trade and that access to their premises was reduced as the road was turned into a building site.

Ron Bryant, landlord of the York Hotel, said business was at an all-time low since he took over the pub nine years ago.

He said: "It has got so bad that I am having to face up to the fact that the pub might have to close. We used to get people stopping off for a pint before getting the bus."

Alex Jones, of the All American comic shop, claims his trade has fallen by half.

He said: "It has taken me five years to build up my business and I do not know if I will ever be able to get it back to the same level."

Stuart Glen-Humphries, of Stuart's Bakery, said: "Things have improved slightly with the opening of the bridge to pedestrians and traffic in one direction but time will tell as to whether we are able to win our customers back."

Michael Biggs, owner of Campcraft, an outdoor pursuits store, said business was at its worst since he first opened up in 1960.

He added: "It has been a terrible year for us and we feel we should receive some form of compensation for the delays."

The bridge is not expected to open to traffic until March. GMPTE's Project Director, Michael Renshaw, said the delays were caused by the change of the station's design and the unexpected need to close the bus station for health and safety reasons.

Keith Lumley, of Network Rail, said he did not believe any of the businesses would be entitled to compensation under work to the bride.

But Cllr David Wilkinson, executive member for regeneration and development at Bolton Council, said: "Compensation requirements are contained within the Highways Act and legal advice would have to be taken before a decision was taken. I can understand their concerns, but we needed to upgrade the area."