MOTORISTS will endure a nightmare 'STOP-TOBER' as Bolton's road and rail network grinds to a halt.

Rail chiefs yesterday announced a fresh wave of lane closures and 40mph speed zones along St Peter's Way — clashing with a separate month-long night-time roadworks project.

Network Rail says the October restrictions are needed while its huge boring machine tunnels under the A666.

The latest delays — which come on top of a heavily reduced rail timetable — have left town hall bosses frustrated as the works coincide with their own planned four-week resurfacing project.

Cllr David Chadwick said: “This is entirely Network Rail’s problem — it will have a serious impact on travel into and out of Bolton but they want it to happen and we have to comply with it.

“It is relatively new news to us and the council is in a catch 22 situation because we can’t say no — we are being forced into this and it is not good news for the travelling public.

“All I can do is apologise to people for the inconvenience and hope that this latest work will be completed as soon as possible.”

From Saturday, the inside lane of the southbound carriageway from the junction with Manchester Road up to the Kearsley Spur will be closed.

Network Rail said this first closure would be for "two to three days" with a 40 mile per hour speed limit enforced on all lanes.

Following this, the outside lanes of both carriageways will be closed along the same route, with the 40 mph limit continuing in the open lanes. This will last for a further three to four days.

Finally, the inside lane of the northbound carriageway will be closed — and the 40 mile per hour limit enforced — for another two to three days.

The train firm says the closures are a “belt and braces approach” and will ensure that ongoing work to enlarge the Farnworth Tunnel will continue "smoothly and safely".

The closures start on the same weekend the major tunnels project supposed to finish.

Network Rail announced last month that complications could mean the scheme will run into December.

The extensive project at Farnworth involves a huge boring machine being used to enlarge the tunnel to prepare it for newly electrified lines.

The scheme has caused severe disruption to the rail network since May.

More recently, a 40 mile per hour limit has been introduced near to the site in St Peter’s Way to accommodate large vehicles carrying rubble onto the busy road.

The latest work will see the boring machine being passed underneath the A666.

Nick Spall, route delivery director for Network Rail, said: “Safety is our top priority. While we expect to be able to move our tunnelling machine without incident underneath the A666, we are leaving nothing to chance.

“That’s why, as a safety precaution, lane closures are prudent while we tunnel underneath.

"This is a key route for motorists and we apologise for any disruption this may cause."

The council will close St Peter’s Way — from Topp Way to the Kearsley Spur — from 8pm until 6am every night throughout October.

The closure, which begins on Monday, is to allow preparatory work to be carried out ahead of a £7.3 million resurfacing project next year.