A BUSY main road will remain partially open for another week after a compromise to “ease the pain” for residents.

Croft Lane, in Hollins, was due to close completely for five weeks from last Monday (June 16) while electricity and internet cables are diverted before a United Utilities sewer project begins in September.

After concerns were raised by residents about the lengthy detour route, it was agreed one lane will remain open to traffic for the first week of the project until June 23.

United Utilities has now confirmed the lane will now remain open for a further week, until June 30.

After this, the road will be entirely closed from Melton Drive to Croft Motors.

A spokesman for United Utilities said: “Virgin Media have been able to work with a lane closure and traffic lights in place during the first week of their work, and have confirmed that this will continue for the second week of their work.

“The work which Electricity North West needs to carry out will however still need to be completed with the road closure in place.”

From June 30 there will be no through traffic access between Pilsworth Road and Croft Lane, although access for pedestrians and residents will be available.

United Utilities project co-ordinator Simon Merritt said: “We have been working with the other utility companies to see whether we can ease the pain for the local community.

“We appreciate that roadworks like this are inconvenient but it is a vital part of maintaining the utility services we all take for granted.”

In September, a United Utilities sewer project to move wastewater pipes could see Croft Lane shut for months. 

The company are holding a drop in session in early August for residents to find out more about the sewer project.