Town's walking and cycling route upgrades to begin

A £5m project to improve walking and cycling routes in Bolton is to begin next week.

The work will be carried out in the town centre from Monday, with phase one of the scheme focusing on resurfacing roads and repaving footpaths on Bradshawgate and Great Moor Street.

There will also be changes at side roads to give pedestrians priority, along with an upgraded pedestrian crossing on Bradshawgate, near Nelson Square.

Bolton Council said its plan to "transform the town centre" would make it an area people could all "enjoy and be proud of".

As well as the repaving and resurfacing, four junctions will be upgraded to make it easier and safer for people on foot and riding bikes to travel around the town centre.

Throughout construction, the council said traffic management would be in place with "disruption kept to a minimum".

Funding was first granted in 2023 from the Greater Manchester Mayor's Cycling and Walking Challenge Fund and the council carried out consultation that helped shape the plans, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

But work was delayed by the need to prepare for the demolition and regeneration of Crompton Place.

With the removal of Crompton Place now under way, the council said work on the travel improvements could begin.

Councillor Nadeem Ayub, Bolton Council's executive member for highways, transport and planning, said: "As we progress our ambitious plans to transform the town centre, it is vital that we include better ways for people to move around.

"Careful planning for vehicles, pedestrians and people on bikes, along with improved links to the bus and train stations, will make it easier and safer for people to get around."

He added: "It will help make a town centre we can all enjoy and be proud of."

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