A RAILWAY cutting is to get a makeover after being voted the winner in an X Factor-style contest to clean up Bolton’s worst grot-spot.

Members of the public were asked to vote on five eyesores in the town during October in Bolton’s Community Payback scheme.

And the Old Railway Cutting, off Deane Church Lane, near to St Helens Road, came out the clear winner.

A total of 673 votes were cast and the railway attracted 60 per cent of the vote.

The Payback scheme, launched last year, sees the restoration work carried out by convicted criminals whose punishment involves giving something back to the community.

Voters were able to telephone and chose from: the site of the old Bridge Pub, Blackburn Road; the back of Bradford Street, Farnworth; the Old Railway Cutting off Deane Church Lane; the back field off Knutshaw Crescent; and Fred’s Triangle opposite the Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre in Radcliffe Road.

Work will now begin on the railway cutting, clearing rubbish, cutting back foliage, removing litter and rubbish left by flytippers to transform the former railway line near to St Helens Road. Offenders on the Payback programme will spend several days on the project, starting on November 15.

Bolton Council’s executive member for cleaner, greener, safer, Cllr Sufrana Bashir-Ismail, said: “This year’s Community Payback voting scheme was really well received and I would like to thank everyone who took the time to vote.

“Community Payback makes sure offenders pay for what they have done and residents see that they are paying back for their crimes. The Old Railway Cutting is a worthy winner.”

David Bowyer, Community Payback officer for the Greater Manchester Probation Trust, added: “There is a great deal of work to be done at Deane Church Lane and it will be a hard task to make it into a presentable area, but Community Payback is a punishment and it is fitting that the project will be demanding.

“While Deane Church received the most votes, there’s clearly a need for work to be done on the remaining four projects.

Last year, voters chose the Churchgate subway near to Bolton town centre as the area to be given a makeover by offenders.