VIDEO - Drivers face misery as water pipe is replaced on Burnley Road

Yorkshire water began the project to improve water supplies on Monday and drivers are already facing misery as they experience long delays.

John Armitage, of Luddenden Foot, said: “We are to put up with this for 5 weeks, so they tell us.

“This is about the fifth time this year that the road from the top of Tuel Lane to Luddenden Foot has been halved by temporary traffic lights.

“Each time it is for for a minimum of 3 to 4 weeks and the operation is only carried out for about 8 or 9 hours per day.

“This leaves us still having to suffer long delays during the evening and the weekend whilst we negotiate the empty roadworks.

“Why can’t this work be continued into the night. This will shorten the length of time that we will have to tolerate it. It might be noisy for those of us who live near the road but at least it will be for a shorter period.”

The team, from Morrison Utility Services, will replace 600 metres of ageing water main from the junction with Danny Lane to just before the Springfield Camping Shop.

The existing cast iron water main has burst six times in the last five years.

Two-way traffic lights will be in place on Burnley Road for the duration of the work, which is expected to last for five weeks.

Ross Housley, Project Manager for Yorkshire Water, said: “When this water pipe bursts, it causes disruption to local residents and road-users, and this work will significantly reduce the risk of that happening in the future.

“In order to reduce traffic disruption, the traffic lights will be manned during peak hours. We’d like to apologise to residents and road-users for any inconvenience caused.”