A BUSY Wirral trunk road will re-open today, Wednesday, after being closed for emergency sewer repairs.

The main road connecting Hoylake to West Kirby closed on Tuesday, April 15, to allow urgent repairs to a collapsed sewer drain.

Meols Drive was shut from the roundabout at Kings Gap in Hoylake to its junction with Morpeth Road.

It was expected to remain that way for at least two weeks but United Utilities have today confirmed that work has been carried out faster than expected, and motorists will be able to use the road from this morning.

United Utilities spokesman Polly Rourke apologised for problems caused by the closure – which has seen traffic diverted via Black Horse Hill, Frankby Road, Pump Lane, Heron Road and vice versa.

The diversion route was approximately seven miles long - about 17 minutes' travel time.

Ms Rourke said: “Everything should be back to normal by mid-morning.

“Our engineers and our contractors have worked their socks off through the Easter weekend to get this essential work done.

“They had to repair a man sewer, clear a fat blockage and install a new manhole, so it was a big job.

“We’d like to thank people for their patience and Wirral Council for their support.

“We know it has been a big pain and we’re really sorry we had to close the road temporarily.

“The good news is that by doing this work now we have prevented potentially worse problems happening in future.

“The new manhole means we will be able to clear blockages more quickly from now on, but local people can do their bit too by not pouring fat, oil or grease down the drain. Mop it up instead and put it in the bin.”

The repairs follow detection of large depressions in the carriageway.

It was not possible to carry out the work one lane at a time as the sewer runs beneath the centre of the road.

Wirral Council instructed United Utilities to complete the urgent work at the earliest opportunity to avoid any conflict with preparations for the Open Golf Championship in July.

For information about what you should and should not put down the drains visit unitedutilities.com/thinkbeforeyouflush