HUGE queues of traffic formed on St Peter's Way on the first day of a five-week lane closure.

Cars backed up from Kearsley all the way to the Bradford Street slip road close to the town centre today.

The traffic started to build from about 6am — and did not clear until after 9.30pm.

Some drivers reported queues also forming in Farnworth town centre, with drivers using the area as a shortcut.

One lane of the dual carriageway is to be closed for the next five weeks — with a 40 mph zone in place until October.

The work forms part of the £1 billion electrification of the railways in the North West — with extra room needed to fit the new overhead electric lines that are expected to be in operation by the end of 2016.

The lane closure on the A666 is needed so that contractors can create a new lay-by which will allow vehicles carrying material from the work site to gather enough speed to then join the rest of the traffic on the road.

Cllr Nick Peel, executive member for the environment, said not a lot could be done over the next five weeks to improve the situation.

He said: "To reiterate, people need to be aware of the major works that are going on and use alternative travel if possible or give themselves more time for the commute.

"It will cause a lot of disruption, but the work is necessary.

"Everything will be finished in five weeks, but until then, not a lot can be done to improve the situation."

The news is no better for train passengers as major engineering work at Farnworth tunnel will see services through the borough reduced to just four per hour on weekdays for that same period between May 2 and October 4.

Stations at Farnworth, Kearsley, Moses Gate and Clifton will be closed altogether.

There will also be no services stopping at Bolton train station at weekends during the five-month work period, with a range of replacement buses being offered to passengers.

A spokesman for Network Rail has said the work is a "significant engineering challenge" and there is no other way of completing the project.