BUS services have been arranged to ensure three villages are not cut off when the main road between Burnley and Todmorden closes for major repairs.

The A646 at Ratten Clough has been restricted since last March because of a land slippage caused by heavy rainfall.

Villages living in Cliviger, Holme Chapel and Walk Mill feared they might be stranded without a bus service when the work begins on January 22, but today the Highways Agency announced extra buses will be laid on while the £280,000 scheme is taking place.

When the road slippage occurred and the buses were stopped, Cliviger Parish Council chairman Tony Harrison described the village as the "largest cul-de-sac in the country".

His concerns about a repeat of the isolation were reported in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph.

Today he said: "I would like to say thank you to the Lancashire Evening Telegraph for publicising this. I am sure it helped to get the buses agreed. I am very pleased they have sorted it out."

The buses will travel from Todmorden along the Long Causeway and double back to pick up passengers from the villages before continuing to Burnley.

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

Nick Moreton, Highways Agency project manager, said: "This section of this important link between Todmorden and Holme Chapel has been subjected to partial and full closures recently because of land slippage and flooding to the road.

"Temporary repairs have been carried out in the past, but this is the first time that we have addressed the underlying problem.

"The problem is that the road is located on a natural geological slip plain which the heavy rainfall in recent months has exacerbated, causing the road slippage.

"The work involves stabilising the road with the stone columns and then resurfacing to modern standards.

"We appreciate that residents have suffered disruption in recent months because of problems with this road, which is why we have laid on the special bus service.

"The bus service will tie in with the existing bus service to ensure a continuity of service for local residents."

The road will close for a week initially and then there will be a single lane open until Easter.

A signed diversion will be set up from Todmorden and the top of Towneley via Bacup.