EMERGENCY repairs to a gas main at Bury Bridge will cause chaos for thousands of motorists at one of the town's busiest junctions - for at least a week.

Tottington Road and Walshaw Road were being closed to northbound traffic last night, from Crostons Road to Fenton Street, as Transco started tackling a leak.

Work was due to start after the teatime rush-hour on Thursday, and closures will last all day and night throughout the week.

The police and Bury Council, expecting considerable disruption, have put in a range of diversions.

Advanced warning signs on Peel Way and Bury Bridge will direct vehicles via Bolton Road, Ainsworth Road/Stephen Street, Newbold Street, Harvey Street and Fenton Street. Signs will also tell drivers coming from Bolton to use Starling Road if they are heading to Tottington or Walshaw.

Mr Mike Cannon, borough engineer, said: "Clearly this is an emergency for Transco and work which simply has to be done. Motorists and other road users can help themselves by staggering their journey times to avoid the peak periods or by choosing an alternative route to avoid the area altogether if at all possible."

To reduce congestion, residents along some of the diversion routes will not be allowed to park outside their homes and will have to find alternative parking. The areas will be marked off with road cones.

Ms Janette Jackson, from Transco, assured residents that the leak posed no risk.

"We apologise for any inconvenience, but we had a report of a gas escape in a medium pressure main and we have to react," she said. "We have to put public safety first, so the road is closed while we locate the leak, repair it and reinstate the road."

Further information is available from the council's customer services team on 0161 253 5353.