WORK will take place in next week to tackle flooding on a main road in Ramsbottom.

The problem in Bolton Road West has been caused by a leakage through a culvert.

Council engineers carried out works to divert the flow of water through a temporary culvert, which has alleviated the problem.

The council suspended work until it could expose the area fully and establish the full extent of the damage.

Cllr Tony Isherwood, cabinet member for the environment, said: “The council is doing everything in its power to stop this flooding, which has been caused by four utility companies whose unauthorised installation of services has breached this culvert.

“We have every sympathy with residents who have had to put up with this disruption, and will ensure that the utility companies responsible act quickly so that the problem can be remedied, and at no cost to local taxpayers.”

The plan is to carry out an excavation during the week starting on Monday, January 11. After that, the utility companies will divert services out of the culvert and Bury Council will carry out permanent repairs.

Bolton Road West will remain open to traffic during the work, but with temporary traffic signals in place. To minimise disruption, work will take place between 7am and 7pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 6pm on Saturdays.

Local residents were being leafleted to keep them informed of the situation.