RIVERS may be forced to find a new route as a town road prepares to close for more than a week.

Oak Road in Halstead is scheduled to close from September 27.

Essex County Council are preparing to close the road in order to carry out carriageway patching work.

Road will close from its junction with Letches Lane up to its junction with Waters Way.

The closure is expected to last until October 5 meaning the road will be closed for more than a week.

A spokesman for Essex Highways said: "The closure is required for the safety of the public and workforce while carriageway patching works are undertaken by Essex County Council.

"An alternative route is available via Oak Road, Mount Hill, White Horse Avenue, Letches Lane and vice versa.

"Access for emergency service vehicles and pedestrians will be maintained at all times during the closure."