COUNCIL engineers in York have closed a riverside road so that emergency work on the sewage system can take place.

Highways chiefs say Skeldergate, which runs beside the River Ouse, could be closed for as long as a week for a "significant problem" to be sorted out.

Peter Evely, head of network management at City of York Council, said: "We'll have a more definite idea once we take a closer look."

Temporary signposts have been put in place and traffic is being diverted around the city walls via Nunnery Lane and Micklegate.

Council engineers were today starting work in the street by inspecting drains with CCTV equipment.

Updated: 10:55 Tuesday, July 15, 2003