NEW signposts for the borough's towns and extra environmental works are on the way thanks to prudent council spending.

Schemes from traffic studies to street refurbishments and helping to plant the seeds of Bury's Millennium Wood are among the projects put forward.

The cash to pay for the projects has been found because the development and environmental services department has underspent its budget by around £200,000.

Councillor Wayne Campbell, chairman of environment and transport, said bosses were reacting to problems raised by residents. "Among our plans are a number of traffic studies," he said. "These are aimed at problems as varied as the congestion around Bury Grammar School to traffic movement in the Cecil Street area of Bury where the Excellence for Elders project and the East Ward regeneration are underway.

"The money will also be used to expand the boundary signs scheme. In recognition of their increasing prominence, with the formation of the area boards, we are proposing to erect township signs across the borough. This will form part of our Gateways strategy. We also want to fund conservation work and carry out a range of environmental initiatives.

"This is not new money," he added. "These schemes are being made possible thanks to prudent financial housekeeping. This has enabled us to direct these resources to some key areas and bring benefits right across the borough."

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