RESIDENTS called for barricades when commuters hit by the latest long road closure started using their streets as a rat-run to avoid diversions.

They protested to ward councillors and as a result council workmen rolled in giant boulders to block off Norbury Street and turn drivers back to face a long detour around Leigh.

But residents in the vicinity of the Firs Lake beauty spot claim the area looks like Beirut and has left pensioners stranded in their homes.

Trouble started after the major Wigan Road route between Siddeley Street and Cowburn Street was closed last week for £250,000 brook improvements being carried out by United Utilities.

In-the-know motorists aiming to avoid diversion routes around Westleigh Lane and Nel Pan Lane started to use the Lakeside route via Norbury Street to cut through to Firs Lane.

On Friday council workmen and police moved in to erect the barricade and hundreds of disgruntled drivers were turned back.

One resident against the barriers said: "These barricades have turned what should be a two mile journey through to Lowton into a 12 mile trip.

"It is ridiculous, motorists have been stopped coming through the estate and so have the buses. I can't wait to see what happens when the binmen turn up.

"Many of the residents weren't bothered about traffic coming through. Buses were picking up and dropping off pensioners at their homes and now that has been stopped.

"People have to get off at the Wagon and Horses and walk down to the Sportsman to catch another. We feel cut off and the road is an eyesore. We had visitors from out of the area on Sunday and because of the diversions they couldn't find us.

"We believe there have been calls for the barrier to be permanent but we hope that will not be allowed to happen."

A council spokesman said the barricade had been erected as a result of residents' requests to ward councillors.

Cllr Barbara Jarvis said: "I have had several calls about the problems caused by the Wigan Road closure, but this work has to be done and we try to minimise the inconvenience as much as we can."

Project manager Steven Wong said: "We investigated every alternative but the work had to be carried out at the overflow point and the road closed. We will do our best to reopen the road as quickly as possible."