THE new coalition Government has been urged to provide assurances that key Bolton projects will not be scrapped.

An £80 million school rebuilding programme, plans to tackle train congestion on local lines and Sure Start centres could all disappear as part of a round of savage public spending cuts, it has been claimed.

Bolton North East MP David Crausby has pledged to “protect Bolton” from any Conservative-Lib Dem cuts.

But last night, Tories slammed Mr Crausby, and accused him of “scaremongering”.

Mr Crausby urged the new Government coalition not to turn its back on Bolton, after the borough returned three Labour MPs.

In the lead up to the General Election, Mr Crausby (pictured) made big issues of perceived Tory indifference towards the Sure Start Children’s Centres and the Building Schools For The Future (BSF) programme, which is transforming Bolton’s schools.

Now he is demanding answers over preelection comments from then-shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers, who said she could not guarantee her party would go ahead with the rail electrification scheme.

He wants similar assurances from new Health Secretary Andrew Lansley who, as Shadow Secretary, said the Tories would keep open the maternity unit at the Fairfield Hospital in Bury, despite the fact it could threaten the future of Bolton’s £20 million supercentre.

Mr Crausby, who travelled to Westminster for a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour party yesterday, said: “As one of the representatives on Bolton, I will be ensuring that the borough is not forgotten about.

“There are a lot of issues, like Sure Start, like BSF, like rail electrification and the maternity units that I do fear for under the new Government.

“I agree that savings need to be made but I would want that to be achieved by efficiency savings and cutting bureaucracy, not key frontline services.”

Cllr John Walsh, leader of the Conservatives on Bolton Council, dismissed Mr Crausby’s fears as “scaremongering”.

He said: “David Cameron made a commitment to Sure Start and I do not expect him to go against that now.

“I will not be drawn into what is blatant scare-mongering by the opposition. The same commitment is in place for the free bus pass, the winter fuel allowance and everything else pensioners have become reliant on over the past few years.

“As for BSF, we know that the previous administration has still not signed off Bolton’s model and while there is a major issue to cut the deficit, we will be ensuring that if there is a change in education funding, that Bolton’s case is argued at every opportunity.”

In March, Ms Villiers said the Conservatives were committed to rail electrification but “could not guarantee a timescale for any scheme”, prompting fears the essential work could be mothballed for years.

Cllr Walsh admitted he was unable to give any guarantees over the electrification plans, which would cut congestion across Bolton by freeing up diesel engines for commuter routes.

Earlier this year, Mr Lansley, who was confirmed as Health Secretary yesterday, made a pledge that a Tory Government would keep open the Fairfield General Hospital maternity unit, despite the Making It Better review saying not enough babies were being born to make both that and the Bolton centre viable.

As he settled into his new job yesterday, Mr Lansley was unavailable to comment on whether he would honour his promise.