MOTORISTS are facing four weeks without a busy road in the town while crucial improvements on underground water pipes take place.

Ellesmere Road will be closed from its junction with London Road to Egerton Street, from October 27.

Access and parking will be maintained for residents and a diversion will be fully signposted.

Bob Dykes, United Utilities project co-ordinator, said: “This project is investing in the future of Warrington and great news for everyone.

“Unfortunately, big engineering schemes like this sometimes impact on people’s day to day lives and we’re sorry for any inconvenience.

“The local community has been great with us so far. They’ve been patient and understand the importance of what we are doing.”

The decision was made to lay the pipes into different tunnels because of the risk of high voltage electricity cables and working in the tight confines of the 100-year-old tunnels.

The pipes were originally laid inside the tunnels under the canal more than 100 years ago.