Peach Street in central Wokingham will be shut for five nights to allow essential water mains maintenance, sending motorists on a diversion nearly 100 times longer than the closure.

A 330ft stretch of Peach Street, between Cross Street and Easthampstead Road, will be shut overnight this week.

During the closures, between 9pm and 6am, motorists will be faced with a six-mile detour, some 95 times the length of the closure.

Drivers will be sent down the A329 London Road and A329 Berkshire Way towards Bracknell.

They will then be directed along Vigar Way, Peacock Lane, Old Wokingham Road and Easthampstead Road back into the centre of Wokingham.

The road will be close to allow South East Water to carry out the essential maintenance work in safety.

Peach Street should be open as usual from Saturday evening.

Philip Cereda, South East Water Distribution Manager, said: “The removal of these pipes that are no longer in service is essential to ensure water quality in the area.

“We know Peach Street is extremely busy with motorists and shoppers, which is why we are carrying out this work overnight when the roads in the town are far quieter and the shops are shut. We have also identified other work that can be done within the road closure to ensure we minimise future disruption.

“The safety of the public and our staff is our number one priority which is why we need to undertake this work under a temporary road closure."