THE MAIN road route leading to Durham's World Heritage site is in the midst of a week-long closure for refurbishment work for ageing water pipelines.

'Road Closed' signs went up on a stretch of Saddler Street on Monday as contractors, who have been renewing water mains in the city for the last 18 months, turned their attention to the approach route to the cathedral and castle.

The section from the Market Place to Magdalene Steps will remain closed until midnight on Tuesday.

Residents and businesses in the affected area were warned to expect noise and disruption during the course of the week.

Northumbrian Water said supplies may be discoloured and pressure could also be affected.

An alternative vehicle access, purely for authorised road users, such as residents and traders at the top end of Saddler Street and on North and South Bailey, is in use via Prebends Bridge, at the tip of the cathedral and castle peninsula.

The bridge, usually pedestrian-only, is being staffed for safety reasons, and to ensure it is restricted for use by authorised vehicles only, between 7.30am until 1am.

Businesses requiring deliveries have been told to ensure vehicles bringing goods to and from their premises must be no larger than a Transit van size.

A spokeswoman for Northumbrian Water confirmed there was no alternative but to close Saddler Street.

"Obviously we are aware that this is a critical part of the road network in the city. To enable our refurbishment work to be completed as quickly as possible we are going to use a new quick drying resin to re-line the water mains."

Although the bulk of the work will be completed by Tuesday, further temporary closures are planned from 10am on Sunday to midnight on Monday on February 2/3, 9/10 and 16/17.