ROVERS supporters and a community's residents face nearly two years of traffic misery because a crumbling bridge needs repairing.

They are being asked to be patient following the start of essential work in Mill Hill, Blackburn, today.

Waterfall Bridge, which lies under Stancliffe Street, from the junctions of Peel Street to Wellington Road, is having £1.8 million worth of improvements so it can cope with the weight of traffic.

That section of road will be closed to northbound traffic for at least a year while phase one of the project is carried out. Motorists have been given diversions through Mill Hill or the orbital route and traffic jams are expected.

Stanscliffe Street is a popular route for Rovers supporters heading to Ewood Park. The road is also used by Mill Hill residents.

Adam Scott, director of regeneration, housing and neighbourhoods at Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council, said: "The bridge has been assessed as substandard for the traffic it accommodates and that is why the council has prioritised this strengthening work."

A temporary road for southbound traffic has been built and a footpath put in place.

Mill Hill Coun Alan Dean, who lives close to the bridge, said: "I think people will be happy to put up with the problems to get the bridge fixed."

The second phase will involve the closure of the road under the railway bridge at Hollin Bridge Street.

Drivers should go via Bolton Road, Freckleton Street, King Street and onto Preston Old Road at Witton or from Mill Hill use Peel Street, Queen Victoria Street and return to Spring Lane via Hill Bridge Street.