A ROAD is now closed for the next THREE WEEKS, after it was originally set to open at peak times of the day.

Network Rail closed Tonedale Overbridge in Wellington for essential repairs on September 7, but agreed to open the road from 7.30am until 10am and 3pm until 6pm.

They have now closed the road until October 9, after discovering gas mains and high voltage electricity under the surface of the bridge.

A Network Rail spokesperson said: “Since starting work to repair Tonedale Bridge we have discovered a high pressure gas mains and high voltage electricity underneath the road surface of the bridge.

“Unfortunately this means to safely carry out the repairs it will require the road to stay closed between Wednesday 16 September and Friday 9 October.

“We are sorry for the inconvenience this will cause to local residents and businesses.”

Councillor Andrew Govier from Wellington Town Council has been dealing with Network Rail and knows that this announcement is “bad news” for many residents.

He said: “The official diversion is a very long way round on the A roads. I think most locals will know the smaller roads around the area that are a quicker route, but these roads only just cope with a normal level of traffic. This is putting a lot of strain on the smaller roads around Rockwell Green.

“It is disappointing that the residents were not given a lot of notice and not enough warning about the closure.

“A lot of people complained about the closure in the first place – so a compromise was made to open at peak times – but now that it is completely closed, this is bad news for a lot of people.”