A MULTI-MILLION pound road improvement scheme is starting in Ramsbottom on Monday.

The work, scheduled to last eight weeks, includes resurfacing of Peel Brow, Bury New Road and Bridge Street, and repairs to footways and drainage between the level crossing in Bridge Street and the M66 bridge.

A 50m stretch at the junction of Bury New Road and Manchester Road will also be resurfaced, to improve skid resistance on the approach to the signals.

Some sections of the road will be closed to traffic during resurfacing work and residents are advised to make alternative day-time parking arrangements.

However Bury Council will try to maintain limited access to all residential and business properties, and pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.

The council says it will also try to keep further disruption to a minimum.

Preliminary drainage and footway works will be carried out Monday to Friday using temporary traffic lights outside peak periods of 9.30am to 3pm.

Carriage way surfacing works will take place in an extended working period from 7am to 8pm.

However, outside normal working hours Bury Council will attempt to carry out "low noise" activities.

The works are part of a £10 million plan of major improvements in the borough.

Councillor Rishi Shori, leader of the council, said: “The condition of our roads is something that concerns everyone in Bury, and towns and cities across the country are likewise struggling to repair streets which have been further damaged by the prolonged winter.

“This is why, despite suffering from years of ‘austerity’ and underfunding, we decided to find an extra £10 million to invest in our road network. While the work will cause some disruption, I’m sure that residents across the borough will welcome these improvements.”

The Ramsbottom scheme is the first of five major improvements of the boroughs roads in the coming months to be followed by Longsight Road from March 19 to April 14; Tottington Road, Bury, from April 19 to 26; Parkhills Road, Bury, from April 16 to May 20; and Manchester Road from May 8 to 26.