A £250,000 clean-up scheme to protect Westleigh Brook, Leigh, from sewer floods will see motorists hit by road closures.

The project will improve the flow of excess water that drains off roofs and roads during periods of heavy rainfall near to Wigan Road at its junction with Norbury Street.

work is due to start on July 19 and will involve adding screens to the overflow chambers that deal with the excess water to stop rubbish and sewage related litter from ending up in brooks and streams.

Wigan Road will be closed to through traffic between Norbury Street and Siddeley Street from July 19 to October 10.

Traffic will be diverted along Westleigh Lane to Dangerous Corner, along the A 577 and back onto Leigh Road at the Bethal junction.

Norbury Street will be closed at its junction with Wigan Road and access will be via Scott Street and Lowood Street.

Shops in the Wigan Road area will be open for business throughout the duration of the project.

United Utilities project manager Steven Wong said: "I would ask residents, local businesses and motorists for their patience while the work is being carried out.

"We will do our utmost to complete it and reopen the road as quickly as possible."