TRAFFIC delays in the Bury Bridge area will continue until the end of September after a technique to replace water mains hit a snag.

Bosses at United Utilities expected work in Bolton Street to be finished this week, but now say that lane closures will remain in place for the next two weeks.

And further work in Bolton Road will not be finished until the end of September after efforts to replace mains without digging trenches failed.

Engineers had hoped to avoid major excavations by sliding new plastic supply pipes through old water mains.

However, the "sliplining" technique could not be completed because joints along the ageing pipeline were causing an obstruction.

Work will continue for the next two weeks, followed by a month-long programme of excavation from Bolton Road to Stephen Street.

A spokesman for United Utilities said that lane restrictions on the main road would be required again.

She said: "Having to open up a trench and replace the main in the normal way is unfortunate because it does take longer and make things more disruptive.

"We are sorry that the job has been taking longer than expected and hope to have this essential work completed as soon as we can."