A GAS leak has forced the closure of a road for emergency repairs.

Calico Street was partially closed last night from 7pm to allow work to take place near the Ewood one-way system.

It was hoped that the work would be over by 2pm today.

The closure will affect northbound traffic travelling towards Blackburn but southbound traffic towards Darwen will be unaffected.

A diversion was being set up and signed via Bolton Road, Livesey Branch Road, Preston Old Road, Redlam, Bank Top, King Street and Freckleton Street.

HGVs normally accessing Blackburn via junction four of the M65 were advised to use junction three, five or six.

Kin Woo, owner of Red Earth Chinese takeaway in Bolton Road, said the closure would be very inconvenient for his delivery drivers and customers.

He said: “We use that part of the road often for deliveries.

“It is a really long time for it to be shut for the businesses around here.

“We will probably have to take a longer route around Hollin Bridge Street and go right down to Livesey Branch Road.

“It is much further than usual.

It is also really, really annoying for our customers.

“If people do not come past, we will lose a lot of them. Nobody even let us know this was happening.”

Coun Maureen Bateson, executive member for regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “I sympathise with motorists if they experience any delays but this is obviously emergency work due to a gas leak and needs to be sorted immediately.”

Gas supplies to properties is not affected.