The closure of a stretch of road, which has forced motorists into a 10-mile diversion, is set to be extended into next week.

High Street in Delph has been closed since Tuesday (November 28) and was due to reopen this week, however Oldham Council has now said the closure will now run until Tuesday, December 5.

The journey from Delph Cross Roads to the north side of the High Street bridge by car would usually take only a minute, with a distance of just under half a mile.

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However, the council has suggested a diversion of 9.7 miles, taking around 20 minutes longer for motorists.

The Oldham Times: The suggested diversion route is nearly 10 miles longThe suggested diversion route is nearly 10 miles long (Image: Google Maps)

Alternative diversions, such as along Grains Road and the A672 for a 5.6-mile journey, or along Huddersfield Road and Delph Lane for a 1.4-mile journey, were considered unsuitable for heavy goods vehicles and have not been signposted by the council.

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Now, Oldham Council has said High Street will not fully reopen until Tuesday as teams carrying out the works have encountered a number of issues involving utilities, which has resulted in delays.

The council said surfacing works are due to take place on Monday and apologised for the inconvenience caused to road users.

The council initially told The Oldham Times that cyclists and pedestrians would have to take the same 10-mile diversion as motorists, however Cllr Pam Byrne for Saddleworth North clarified that the bridge would remain open to pedestrians.

Cllr Byrne said: “The bridge will remain open to pedestrians. There may be times when walkers may have to wait and be ushered through.

“I am sure that Delphers will be wit enough to manage.”

The 350 and school service S350 to Saddleworth School will continue to not call in Delph village centre, instead turning away at the crossroads onto Delph New Road – meaning those looking to catch the bus will have to travel to the Delph Cross Roads stop.

The 350 usually does a loop of Delph on its way from Oldham to Ashton via Uppermill.

The 356 will also be diverted.

The temporary change will see the route cut out Grains Bar and Denshaw during the works, instead looping around at Whinberry Way and going to Delph Cross Roads via the A62.