TEMPORARY traffic signals will be in place on London Road, Stockton Heath, from today, Friday, after part of the road collapsed.

The council's highways department sent a team to the site at the junction with Sandy Lane and Orchard Street as soon as the problem was identified.

The cause of the collapse has been identified as a hole in the side of a manhole owned by United Utilities.

United Utilities will be working to resolve the problem as soon as possible and minimise traffic congestion.

The traffic on London Road will be controlled by two-way traffic lights, which will be manually operated at peak times. It will be necessary to close Sandy Lane and Orchard Street at the junction of London Road and diversions will be in place.

The works should not take more than seven days. The traffic controls will, however, be removed immediately when the work is completed.

Delays are expected and motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible.