The new car park, which is desperately needed to alleviate pressure on Mabel Street, has become the centre of a legal ping-pong game between Labour-run Bolton Council and the Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Authority (GMPTA).

The much-needed car park was originally approved by Liberal Democrat ward councillor David Wilkinson in 2005 but the plans have been hit with delays since Labour took over the administration of the council.

A legal dispute between Bolton Council and the GMPTA has been blamed.

The council owns the land and will construct the car park, whilst the GMPTA will run the site.

Ward councillor David Wilkinson said: “We could have had this car park up and running a long time ago if it wasn’t for the legal ping-pong being played between Bolton and Manchester town halls.”

Mabel Street residents will be particularly annoyed by the news because the street is often used by commuters who are left looking for a space to park their car because the existing car park is overcrowded.