Yorkshire Water is working ‘round the clock’ to repair burst water pipes on the main road between Queensbury and Halifax, which has caused traffic chaos and disruption since Friday.

Emergency repair work was continuing today to repair two cracks and ‘significant’ road damage on Boothtown Road in Halifax, which has left the A647 closed between Claremount Road and Swales Moor Road.

The company says the problem was “particularly problematic” because there were simultaneous bursts on two mains that affected properties in Northowram and Southowram, with one close to a mains sewer which had to be diverted before work could start.

It was hoped temporary traffic lights would be installed so the road could opened tonight, but the road is not expected to fully re-open until Friday.

Councillor Michael Walls (Con, Queensbury) said he had been contacted by a number of elderly residents complaining they had been left stranded after bus services in the area were diverted.

“It’s causing tremendous disruption,” he added. “It’s not a small road, it’s the main road between Queensbury and Halifax.

“This is around the sixth time there has been a problem on this road. The last time, about two months ago, I drove past and lumps of the road were being ripped up. It is a problem.”

One resident, 82-year-old Bernard Dracup, of Ambler Thorn, said he and other elderly residents were facing an hour’s walk to get to their nearest bus stop because of diversions.

A Yorkshire Water spokesman said: “We would like to apologise to customers who have been affected by the recent bursts that have taken place on Boothtown Road. We’re working round the clock to repair the bursts.

“The sustained period of hot weather has put an increased strain on our network as essentially what is happening is that the heat is compacting the ground which is causing it to compress around our pipes.

“Any weak spots that might exist then become increasingly vulnerable to crack as the pressure exerted on the pipes increases.”

Another burst water main left the A644 Wakefield Road closed in both directions between Brighouse and the A62 Cooper Bridge Road junction. Emergency repairs began today and diversions were put in place.