A SUDDEN road closure left drivers infuriated this morning as they faced long traffic queues in Winsford.

Diversions are in place following the unexpected closure of Bostock Road.

Drivers complained about delays as they struggled to get to work and take children to school. Long queues of traffic stretched in all directions.

It is understood that a burst water pipe may have exacerbated the problem.

Winsford mayor Cllr Nathan Pardoe said: “Planned United Utilities roadworks on Bostock Road / A533 (Middlewich have escalated over the weekend and resulted in an unplanned closure of Bostock Road / A5013 (Wharton).

“The cumulative effect of this is that the A54 and Road One both have additional diverted traffic and as we've seen there are significant queues in all directions.

“Myself and Cllr Joanne Moorcroft, deputy mayor, have asked if the United Utilities roadworks can be withdrawn or completed out of hours.

“Government legislation allows emergency roadworks to start without advance notice or authorisation - close first, notify later.

“This approach is necessary for safety but it brings challenges with it when applied to high traffic routes like Bostock Road."

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Drivers vented their anger on social media.

Ashley Livesey said: "This is really getting beyond a joke. Trying to get to work and the A5018 past Morrison’s manufacturing plant is closed again with no notice.

"This should not be allowed to happen, I get work needs to be done however we need prior notice

"This is adding another 20 minutes. to my journey. No co-ordination, no communication not impressed."

Alison Claire posted: "Added 20 minutes to my college run."

Katrina Macey said: "It's insane this morning trying to get past the train station. Its never been that bad before. 25 minutes and I still can't see the roundabout."

A spokesperson for United Utilities said: “Our engineers have been on site at Bostock Road, Winsford today repairing a water main damaged by a third party.

“We have closed the road during the repair to create a safe work space for our engineers.

"We are working as fast as we can to complete this repair and will reinstate and open the road as soon as we can. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”