MOTORISTS faced chaos on the main link road between Amersham and High Wycombe and nearby houses were left without water after a pipe burst.

Water bosses are now facing a bill of around £30,000 for permanent repairs.

A huge stretch of the busy A404 Amersham Road, measuring 250 metres square, was damaged when the water main fractured three times.

Hundreds of gallons of water flooded out across the Tarmac on Tuesday night causing the road to break up.

Two further leaks in the early hours of Wednesday morning left police with no option other than to close the route in both directions.

Those travelling to work on Wednesday found the road shut between Village Road, Penn Street and Whielden Lane, near Winchmore Hill.

A temporary diversion route was set up through Penn Street and Winchmore Hill.

Engineers from the suppliers Three Valleys Water worked through the night to stem the leaks and were able to temporarily fix and reopen the road at 10pm on Wednesday.

The company has apologised for any inconvenience caused.

They also promised a full investigation.

A spokesman from the company said: "We are carrying out investigations into the reason for these bursts, and measures will be taken to prevent further bursts in this area once we have further information. We are making every effort to carry out the necessary repairs as soon as possible. We would like to apologise to customers and commuters for the inconvenience caused."

Reasons as to why the pipe burst are unknown at present.

Three Valleys thought it may have been ground movement, which can cause the pipes to crack. Another suggestion was that the pipes may have been corroded.

Neighbouring houses reported a loss of pressure and some were even left without water.

The Three Valleys spokesman added: "There were six customers who were affected, but we took bottled water to those who were left without a supply so they had enough to drink and cook with."

Alison Derrick, senior local area coordinator for Chiltern and South Bucks, described the incident as a "significant leak."

She said: "Further permanent repairs will be needed which will be funded by Three Valleys Water.

"Repairs are expected to cost in the region of £30,000.

"These repairs are planned for the week commencing July 25 and will be carried out over a two-day period between 9.30am and 3.30pm under three way temporary traffic light control.

"We want the repair work completed as quickly as possible to cause minimum disruption."