RESIDENTS living near the £2.3 million transformation of a petrol station ­— which includes the addition of a drive-thru Starbucks and a Greggs bakery ­— say they are being driven round by the bend by the development work.

The work is taking place in Blackburn Road, Sharples, and residents say their complaints about the effect it is having on their quality of life is falling on deaf ears.

Concerns have been raised about workers arriving early and putting on loud music as well as the closure of the footpath.

Residents have complained to the council and workers.

Nearby resident, Emma Brereton said: “The development started four months ago.

“They start work early, this includes at weekends, with music blaring.

“One time I walked out in my pyjamas and said what are you doing?

“He said I couldn’t hear the music, and I told him what song was playing and I could hear it word for word from my bedroom.

“This is a massively residential area, developers like Waitrose and Tesco go out of their way for residents and work to appease their concerns.”

She said a number of residents had complained to the council but were being passed from pillar to post, with advice from environmental health to keep diaries.

Another resident Alan Rigby said: “Ever since the planning permission was granted the immediate neighbours have had their concerns totally ignored by the developer and the the council even though we have contacted them directly, and via our local MP and councillor.

He said no provision was made when the footpath was shut for work.

Mr Rigby said: "I was told that I could not use it for my own safety. There has been no alternative pathway around the work area, the alternative is up Blackburn Road, cross using the temporary crossing then walk down the road to the existing crossing, cross back to walk back up Blackburn Road to get to our local Newsagents in Sharples Avenue.

“I am disabled with a non-visible disability – severe chronic heart failure which severely limits the distance I can walk.

“On my return from the shop I witnessed the workmen stop the traffic for a lady in a wheelchair as there’s no temporary traffic control.”

The development in Sharples is going ahead after Blackburn service station giant Euro Garages appealed Bolton Council’s decision to refuse permission for the plans in August 2017.

Councillors voted against the proposal when it was brought to the planning committee three years ago.

Town hall planners recommended approving the first application, but when new plans were submitted the following year, they were rejected by officers. The company appealed this decision.

The council said the proposal was an “inappropriate and incompatible” for the predominantly residential area.

Euro Garages have been contacted for a comment.

Bolton Council is aware of complaints round the site and have carried out site visits.