Repairs start on commuter route

Repairs have started but could take months

More than 2,000 tonnes of rock are being used to shore up one of the key roads into Bristol after it was wrecked by a burst water main.

The A4 Portway was closed when a 27-inch main burst close to the Clifton Suspension Bridge last week.

The water destroyed a 70-metre embankment between the road and the River Avon.

Up to 700 limestone boulders, each weighing about three tonnes, will be used to build up the damaged embankment.

They are being brought in from the Mendip Hills in Somerset.

Work is going on day and night

There is hope the work will enable the road to be partly reopened.

Engineers are able work during the night because there are few homes nearby.

But experts say it could take months to complete the work.

They will have to redesign and rebuild the embankment.

The closure of Portway has led to problems for motorists entering the city.

A spokeswoman for Bristol City Council said: "There is increased congestion, but the road network does seem to be holding up reasonably well."

She said further full road closures would be necessary over the coming weeks as work continues.

Bristol Water is paying for the repairs.