The closure of Weymouth Way has been extended by a week due to the complex nature of the repair.

The A354 Weymouth Way is closed both ways between Westham Crossroads (Swannery Bridge) and Chafeys Roundabout as Wessex Water engineers repair a burst main which collapsed a week ago.

The closure of this busy route has caused tailbacks elsewhere as motorists find alternative routes.

The plan was for the road to be reopened by this Friday.

But it looks like it will not reopen until Friday, July 5 at the earliest.

This is because SSE has to relocate power cables to allow Wessex Water engineers to access part of the sewer structure.

A Wessex Water spokesman said: "While we were hopeful of completing repairs by Friday, we have to be realistic and we now expect the road to remain closed for a further week.

"Our work has been complicated by the need for SSE power cables to be re-located, something which could only be established after excavating and locating the damaged sewer pipe.

"We’re sorry for this further delay and would like to thank the people of Weymouth for their co-operation as we work day and night on this complex repair."

Meanwhile, Dorset Council said on Monday it has had to close part of National Cycle Route 26, which runs adjacent to Weymouth Way. See our story here

Dorset Echo:

The council has also responded to concerns expressed about the official diversion route for drivers while Weymouth Way is closed.

The route goes via the A354 Boot Hill to Buxton Road, Foords Corner Roundabout, Lanehouse Rocks Road, Chickerell Road and the B3157 Granby Way.

Some motorists complained on social media that this was taking vehicles miles out of the way.

The council said it recognised drivers will look for a shorter route, but it cannot endorse this. Goldcroft Road/Newstead Road and Radipole Park Drive are particularly busy.

Kevin Cheleda, Dorset Council’s Traffic Manager, said: “When we have to close a road and create an official diversion we have to use routes that are the same class road or higher. This is to make sure that the diversion can manage the volume of traffic and the size of the vehicles.

"We know that local traffic will not necessarily use the official diversion. During the closure we have monitored sites around the diversion route and we have seen that traffic has dispersed well and not caused too many issues.”