THE main junction in Gomersal will remain closed for another two weeks as damage caused by burst water main is worse than first thought.

A water main on Oxford Road, Gomersal, has caused disruption to motorists, residents and firms since Monday, with Yorkshire Water confirming repair work is likely to continue until the week commending August 8.

Oxford Road is closed both ways closed due to burst water main between Grove Lane and Bleak Street. The burst is situated in the middle of a four-way junction and has damaged the carriageway. Also affected is Church Lane, both ways between Oxford Road and Craven Drive and Spen Lane both ways between Oxford Road and Pollard Avenue.

Councillors and businesses have spoken of their frustration at the continuing work.

Cllr Lisa Holmes (Con, Liversedge and Gomersal) said: “It’s a very busy road.

“The work is causing quite a few problems and inconvenience to people.

“Businesses around there are struggling because people think they are not open due to the work that is taking place.”

Hilltop Out-of-School Club, based on Oxford Road, is directly opposite the burst water main and at first parents did not realise it was still open.

But playworker Jade Render said the club’s attendance has not been affected by the ongoing work.

She said: “It’s frustrating that the work is carrying on.

“People thought we were closed at first and were ringing us up to make sure we were open. There were no diversion signs near us at first.

“Parents were parking their cars up on Spen Lane and walking down to us with their children.”

A Yorkshire Water spokesman said the company was working to restore the repair the road as soon as possible.

He said: “Street repair work is taking longer than anticipated and as such the junction will likely remain closed until the week commencing August 8.

“This is due to the extent of surface damage to Oxford Road and Church Lane caused by the burst, but we are working closely with Kirklees Highways and Northern Gas Networks to reinstate the roads as quickly as possible.

“We’d like to apologise to residents and commuters affected by this and thank them for their continued patience which is greatly appreciated.

“Our advice remains that it is best to avoid this route if possible but a diversion route is in place to help with traffic flow.”

Some bus services have been altered while the work continues.

Arriva Yorkshire said the 220 bus from Spen Lane will operate on the same route as the 255 as far as Dewsbury Road traffic lights, then via Dewsbury Road into Birstall town centre.

The 222 from the top of Listing Lane will operate via Six Lane Ends, then Leeds Old Road and Smithies Moor Lane to Birstall town centre.

The 252, 253 and 254 will operate the same route as 255 via Woodland Road, Cliffe Lane, Latham Lane and West Lane.