Frustrated motorists have started using quiet residential streets as a rat run to avoid a diversion following a fire which has caused a busy road to be closed for more than three weeks.

Council leaders have ordered the building to be made safe within the next two weeks.

The road has been closed since 7 April, after a fire swept through a three-storey building on Newcastle Street, Middleport. Motorists were advised that the road could be closed for four weeks.

The official diversion route takes motorists off Newcastle Street down Westport Road and onto Davenport Street. However some drivers have been taking an alternative route which is causing problems for residents.

A fire swept through a three-storey building on Newcastle Street, Middleport, last month (Nub News).

Residents of Ellgreave Street, St Paul Street, Church Square and Hall Street have all reported increases in traffic as some try to avoid the 1.5 kilometre diversion. Buses have also been rerouted down the diversion route which has caused issues for the elderly in Bungalows on Dale Street.

The city council says the continued closure of the road following the fire is 'not an option'. They have ordered the owner to make the building safe within the next two weeks.

The increase in use of the normally quiet street has been noticed by residents. James Gibson said: "There are a lot of lorries and people racing up and down the road. It's difficult to get into the drive occasionally, it's been sort of awful for the past couple of weeks.

74-year-old Helen Clarke said that she knows that some of her neighbours have struggled to get out since the buses have been diverted, as many can't walk to the next nearest bus stop and can't afford a taxi.

Fire investigators later deemed the fire to be caused accidentally (Nub News).

The rat run has also contributed to a crash at the wall of St Paul's Anglican Church and Community Centre. The wall which is closest to Hall Street is now fenced off.

The official diversion route has also faced criticism as road works have taken place which has caused more delays. The emergency work on Westport Road has caused temporary three way traffic lights to be installed at the junction of Westport Road and Greenhead Street.

Resident Rob Johnson said: "They put a diversion in plan and then they put roadworks on the diversion, why not do it before or after? Why has it taken so long, it's a long four weeks. I could build a house in four weeks let alone make it safe, it's a joke."

Mr Johnson continued: "You've got wagons here and I can be in bed and the house shakes. When it's tailed back up to the churchyard obviously they're not racing up and down so it's not so bad but when there is no traffic and they come down and hit a pothole it's like bang, you can feel the house shake."

A council spokesperson said: "We have been seeking to engage with the owner of the affected property who has been unresponsive. Now the city council has issued a notice to the property owner setting out our expectations for them to remove the danger/ demolish the buildings within the next two weeks. If the owner does not undertake the works, the city council has powers to do so and to levy a charge on the property, as the continued closure of the road is not an option."

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