PART of the planned Leigh-Manchester busway has been given the green light.

Bus lane plans for a section of the route linking Leigh with Salford and Manchester city centre have been given a government inspector's blessing.

The inspector's inquiry findings regarding the guided busway portion of the route which would run from Leigh and through Tyldesley are expected soon.

Two public inquiries have been held into the scheme which would include a guided section on the former Leigh-Tyldesley-Ellenbrook railway line.

The inspector who chaired both hearings has recommended Traffic Regulation Orders be approved for bus lanes on the East Lancashire Road - and suggested that this A580 work should go ahead irrespective as to whether permission is given for the rest of the busway route.

The East Lancs decision rests with Salford Council which has already passed plans for road works and a park and ride site alongside the A580.

Transport chiefs believe it will provide more reliable bus services and slash journey times between Leigh and Manchester by up to a third.

Experts say A580 bus lanes from Ellenbrook to Manchester would save more journey time than the guided busway section at a quarter of the construction costs of the Leigh-Tyldesley-Ellenbrook link.

Estimated construction cost has risen to £33.6million and the Government has given provisional blessing subject to full approval and set allocated funding of £25.9million.

If it goes ahead buses could be on track in four years.

Poor substitute

Although anti-busway protesters claim what's planned is a poor substitute for the Metrolink which serves other parts of Greater Manchester, those in favour suggest it could be the first step to getting Leigh back on track.

Pro Busway campaigner and disabled champions Frank and Pat Parkinson of Birch Street, Tyldesley welcomes the inspector's findings.

Mr Parkinson said: "It's looking good. I think people will eventually appreciate what a brilliant idea the busway is. Those who say their country walks will be ruined will be surprised -- everything will be replanted and there will be better paths and bridleways."

But Wareing Street man Pat Lummis, fears a busway would fail: "I think it will happen but won't get the support needed to be viable. It will become a road with development alongside and the Green Belt will disappear.

"Rail or Metrolink would work. It may be a bigger capital cost but it would be more far-sighted than this stop-gap measure. We need a transport plan for the future but I fear this country is playing catch-up to Europe and Scandinavia.

"I believe in public transport. We need an integrated rail system. Metrolink will serve Manchester, Bury, Rochdale, Manchester Airport and Eccles. It should be extended to Leigh, Warrington and St Helens."