UNDER a new arrangement announced by Minister for Railways and Roads John Watts, Greater Manchester could see either the public or private sector bidding to maintain its motorways and trunk roads. Two motorways serve the Bury area which also has its share of trunk roads which bear a high volume of traffic.

The new arrangement - which the North West will see in 1998 - is part of a scheme to introduce new management agencies to co-ordinate road works, winter, and general maintenance throughout England.

It will be phased in over a three-year period starting in 1997 when the Highways Agency plans to introduce the first six.

Another ten will come in 1998, and the final eight in 1999.

In the North West the new agencies will be covering motorways and trunk roads in Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Derbyshire and South Pennines.

Lancashire and North Merseyside will come a year later.

Welcoming the changes Mr Watts said: "Road users are set to benefit from the best that the private and public sectors can offer.

"That is why I am keen to see the introduction of competition for trunk road agency work which will encourage innovation, secure value for money and promote expertise."

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