BOTLEY Road is likely to be partially closed for the next three days at least, because of a burst water main.

The road surface just infront of Abbey Road near the One fusion restaurant erupted this morning as gushing water forced its way through the tarmac.

A steady stream is now running down the road towards the rail bridge and the road is closed for 100 yards on that side (heading into Oxford).

Temporary traffic lights are being used and are causing severe delays.

Oxford Mail:

Temporary traffic lights in Botley Road

A Thames Water engineer on the scene told the Oxford Mail that in the best case scenario the road and pipe beneath take three days to repair as engineers will need to dig up the road, find the leak, repair it then replace the road surface.

The Botley Road end of Abbey Road will be shut for the duration and Botley Road itself will stay partially closed.

A spokesperson for the water provider confirmed that the pipe had burst, adding: "We’ve had to put up traffic lights so our team can work safely but we know it’s a busy area and we’ll do our best to fix the pipe as quickly as possible.

"It’s too early to tell how long the repairs will take."