THE main road between Burnley and Todmorden will be closed for a week from tomorrow for permanent repairs to be carried after a land slippage.

This time there is no possibility of Cliviger, Lancashire's largest parish, being left without a bus.

The through service between Burnley and Todmorden will continue to operate on an hourly frequency but on a different route and with a "shuttle" service between Burnley bus station and Ratten Clough where the slippage occurred.

The Highways Agency is starting a £280,000 scheme to repair the A646 which has been restricted to one lane since last March because of the slippage caused by heavy rainfall.

Later last year it was closed completely because of further damage and parish council chairman Tony Harrison then described Cliviger as the largest cul-de-sac in the country.

The village was left without buses until an emergency service was introduced.

This time the Metro service between Todmorden and Burnley instead of going through Bacup and by-passing Cliviger will travel from Todmorden along the Long Causeway and double back to pick up passengers from the village before continuing to Burnley.

The repair work will involve 600 stone columns being installed underground to help stabilise the road. In addition, extensive drainage, earthworks and reconstruction of the carriageway will be carried out.

Nick Moreton, Highways Agency project manager, said the road would close for a week initially and then there would be a single lane open until Easter. A signed diversion will be set up from Todmorden and the top of Towneley via Bacup.

A Lancashire County Council spokesman said timetables and details of the services had gone up at bus stops and at Burnley bus station.