A LANDSLIP at a construction site in Astley Bridge has temporarily ceased construction of a property due to health and safety concerns.

Residents were shocked last Wednesday (January 20) when a significant section of land in Blackburn Road fell down the steep embankment, taking some trees with it.

This came after heavy rain as a result of Storm Christoph, which caused landslips across the borough.

Steams of mud were also seen flowing down Blackburn Road, coming fro the construction site.

Various teams from Bolton Council attended the area straight away to assess the situation and deemed it posed no immediate risk.

However, council health and safety executives decided on Friday (January 22) that construction at the site should cease to further assess how safe it is to be building into the steep embankment with properties above.

Ward councillor and chair of the council's planning committee, Cllr John Walsh, said the landslip had caused great concern to many residents and that he was "delighted" that health and safety teams were now looking in to the site.

He said: "There's been a lot of building on the embankment in recent years with larger houses replacing what was there before.

"At first we thought this would be a planning issue but the health and safety executive from the council is now in detailed discussions with the site owner and engineers looking into the landslip.

"Due to what happened they have imposed a ban on any further works while the safety of the site is looked in to.

"I'm very happy that health and safety teams are now involved as they have more legal powers than the planning teams.

"They can make sure the work that is being done is safe so I'm delighted health and safety are onboard.

"It will be very reassuring for residents too."