Five-month road closure extended for cable move

A road that was due to reopen this month after a five-month closure will stay shut until the end of April.

The junction of Bennet Road and the A33 in Reading has been closed since 18 October for Thames Water works to underground water pipes and its reopening has been delayed twice.

Thames Water said work on the "complex repair" had been further extended after work could only carry on after a utility cable was moved.

The water firm said the road would be reopened temporarily for runners taking part in the Reading Half Marathon on Sunday.

The closure was first due to be lifted on 14 December but was extended until 15 March.

A Thames Water spokesperson said: "This is a complex repair and we have been obliged to extend the project because a utility cable had to be diverted to enable work to continue.

"Health and safety is our number one priority and due to the conditions of the ground below the surface, specialist engineering has been required to ensure the long-term safety and stability of the road before completing the repair.

"A signed diversion route remains in place, and we apologise for any inconvenience this may cause."