SEVERE delays are to be expected this morning on the A666 around the Birch Hall Avenue junction in Darwen.

A burst water main resulted in the road being closed last night to allow engineers to carry out emergency works.

Temporary lights are now in use and traffic is said to be extremely heavy in the area.

A spokesman for Blackburn and Darwen Roads said: "A United Utilities water main has burst on the A666 at the junction of Birch Hall Avenue.

"Temporary lights are in place and continue to be used this morning. 

"When we spoke to United Utilities last night, we stressed that if lights were required, that they MUST be manually controlled from 7am. They assured us this would happen.

"We are extremely disappointed and furious to discover this morning that they have failed to do this, and as a result there is unnecessary severe delays, particularly if you are coming from Darwen.

"We can only apologise for the extra delay this morning, but you can be assured that this will be followed up at this highest level at United Utilities."