A BUSY road has been closed to allow urgent repairs to a collapsed sewer.

The work began on Bridge Street, near its junction with Cattle Market Street, Otley, this morning and is expected to take three days to complete.

Yorkshire Water flagged up the problem with Leeds City Council on Monday morning, when they introduced temporary measures to protect local homes and businesses.

In a message to ward councillors, the Highways department warned that disruption would be inevitable.

It said: "Unfortunately, given the location and depth of the sewer, once the works begin the road will have to remain closed until completion.

"This is obviously a very busy location and there aren’t many options when it comes to diverting traffic.

"Vehicles travelling into Otley from the Billams Hill direction will be diverted left onto Cattle Market Street, North Parade, Wesley Street, and Boroughgate.

"Our Traffic Control team are aware of the plans and will do what they can to manage extra traffic at the Boroughgate / Market Place crossroads.

"Vehicles travelling in the opposite direction will be picked up at Charles Street, Walkergate, Cross Green, and then all the way into Pool-in-Wharfedale, over the Leeds / North Yorkshire boundary onto Leathley Lane, Farnley Lane and Billams Hill."

Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley & Yeadon) has asked for all other council roadworks in the town to be suspended until the sewer repairs are completed.