A lane on the westbound side of Riversway (A583) between Pedders Way and Nelson Way has been closed off since around 6pm on Tuesday after a manhole collapsed.

United Utilities said it was caused by a blockage after heavy rain clogged up a sewer outlet.

A spokeswoman for the company said on Wednesday: "Someone has thoughtlessly dumped tyres which have blocked one of our sewer outlets in Riversway, causing the system to back up during the heavy rainfall last night.

"This caused damage to a manhole cover and part of the carriageway also collapsed.

"Staff have been working on site to carry out repairs and we are expecting to complete work later this evening. We have had to close one lane of Riversway while repairs are carried out.

"This kind of inconvenience and disruption to motorists and the wider community could easily be avoided if people disposed of their rubbish correctly."

A spokesman for Lancashire County Council said: "United Utilities' equipment has failed because of the amount of water which came down last night.

"They are currently out there working. There were no injuries."

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