The reopening of a key road that has been blocked for nearly two years has been delayed again with ‘inevitable’ extra costs.

Barrow Bridge Road was closed after heavy rainfall and rising water damaged a retaining wall in August 2020.

Since then people in Barrow Bridge have had no main route through the village and Bolton Council has now revealed that despite the reopening having been originally planned for July 22, residents and visitors will have to wait at least another two months.

Bolton Council cabinet member for transport Cllr Stuart Haslam said: “The road works bulletin will be updated to reflect an extended closure

"I’m advised that this could be up to a further two months.

Plea for work to start to reopen blocked road in Bolton village

Work to reopen Bolton village through road will not start until spring

“The delay is attributable to unmapped services under the road surface that had to be dealt with and due to unexpected problems with the riverbed when constructing temporary works to allow permanent reconstruction.”

He added: “It is inevitable that there will be additional costs associated with this work and they will be apportioned between the council and the contractor dependant on who is responsible for the rates which will of course be determined through reference to the supporting contract documentation.

“Any damage to the existing highway structures as a result of the works will be rectified as part of the scheme.”

The cost of the scheme was estimated by Cllr Haslam back in March 2021 to be around £110,000, though he admitted at the time that this was likely to increase further.

His update on the progress of repairs to Barrow Bridge Road came at a meeting of Bolton Council, when Cllr Garry Veevers, who represents the area, said he was disappointed to see that the work had not been finished.

He said: “I’m getting a sense of déjà vu because we’re going back to Barrow Bridge Road

“According to the latest Road Works Bulletin the closure of Barrow Bridge Road was due to end on 22nd July – presumably so that the road would reopen then.

“However, when viewed this weekend it was not open and there appeared to be a considerable amount of work left to do.”