A MAJOR route for Bolton commuters could be closed until the middle of next week because of a burst water main.

The closure of Belmont Road in Astley Bridge has been described as “horrendous”

by nearby residents since the pipe sprang a leak on Wednesday.

United Utilities engineers struggled to find the source of the leak until yesterday and are now waiting for specially manufactured parts for the 24-inch diameter pipe.

The highways department at Bolton Council has shut the section of the road between Sweetloves Grove and Bar Lane.

Traffic will be diverted via Blackburn Road and Crompton Way up to Scout Road until at least next Wednesday, according to the council.

Rachel Owens, who lives next to the Bar Lane junction in Belmont Road, said: “It has been a nightmare because there’s not many signs saying the road is closed.

“All of the traffic has been having to do a Uturn at the top outside our house .

“They’ve also been going down Bar Lane the wrong way by the school instead of turning round.

“It’s been horrendous really because I’ve got children at High View Kindergarten and it’s not very safe.

“Also we were woken up in the night by all the lorries, cars and buses turning round. I think they could put better signs out for the road closure.”

Doreen Canham, also of Belmont Road, said: “No one has told us what’s going on and the business who cleans our bins said he couldn’t access all the of the houses on his rounds.

“My daughter lives in Blackrod so I’ve warned her not to drive over.”

The flood water is classed as untreated rain water, but is not sewage.

A Highview Kindergarten spokesman said some parents had complained about the delays in traffic and the lack of road closure signs on Blackburn Road