COMMUTERS travelling from Bolton to Manchester and back could be faced with the ‘perfect storm’ in traffic delays next week.

It comes initially with the nine-day closure of Bolton Railway Station, which closes on midnight on Friday, until September 2, for an upgrade of the line between Manchester and Preston when travellers will be forced to use replacement bus services or use their own transport.

READ MORE: Rail strikes planned for the weekend

But next Wednesday, August 29, motorists and people using public transport will face long delays as Regent Road, from Oldfield Road to the Mancunian Way, will be reduced from two lanes to one lane in each direction. That's because Salford and Manchester City Councils are starting a £15 million project to upgrade the inner relief road on junctions around Regent Road, Trinity Way and the A57 Mancunian Way over the following 12 months.

The issues will be intensified during rush hour and further exacerbated by concerts and events in the city and at the Etihad Stadium.

The work is expected to cause delays on other major roads including the M602 and Mancunian Way, while surrounding routes – will experience additional delays.

During the morning peak, travel into the city centre via the M602, Regent Road and on to the Mancunian Way is expected to increase from around 15-20mins to at least 25-30mins.

During the evening peak, journeys out of the city centre along the Mancunian Way, Regent Road and on to the M602 are expected to increase from around 20-25mins to at least 40-45mins.

Bolton councillor David Chadwick, who is the authority’s transport spokesman said: “What effect the closure of the station and the reduction of Regent Road is difficult to assess, but it is likely to cause yet further delays for commuters.

“It’s a case of more and more pain for the travelling public and I want this ongoing situation in terms of trains and transport sorted out once and for all. I’m a straight person and I can’t dress up what is a very poor service.”