MOTORISTS have faced more queues after a major link road in Bury was closed for emergency sewer repair work - less than a week after the thoroughfare had re-opened.

Hollins Brow, from its junction at Manchester Road to Hollins Lane, has been cordoned off since last Friday (February 27).

A burst in the vicinity of Blackford Bridge caused United Utilities engineers to undertake remedial work.

The problem arose on Thursday morning (February 26) and caused lengthy tailbacks at rush-hour periods along Manchester Road, to and from Bury town centre.

United Utilities engineers working to fix the break in a high pressure sewer pipe now estimate the road could be closed until Monday (March 9).

Vehicles can currently travel along Manchester Road in both directions, but in single line only.

The traffic lights at Blackford Bridge at its junction with Hollins Brow have been taken out of action.

A spokesman for United Utilities said: "We have located a break in a high pressure sewer pipe and we need to fix it.

"We are really sorry for the disruption, as the work is causing some tailbacks at a busy junction on Manchester Road.

"This is essential work, but we'll try to get it done as quickly as possible. Please bear with us."

The delays come less than a week after adjoining Croft Lane - linking Hollins Brow to the M66 junction at Pilsworth - was re-opened. It had been shut for several months to allow United Utilities to install new water pipes.