DIVERTED buses had to be diverted again, causing mass confusion for drivers and passengers.

Bus passengers who have got used to the temporary routes along West Street whilst North Street is closed for water main repairs, were told yesterday morning their journeys would be further delayed.

One passenger travelling from Hove to the Old Steine told The Argus: "Passengers for Churchill Square had to get off at the station. Then we had to go down North Road, because he couldn't go down West Street.

"In the end I gave up and walked.

"No one seemed to know anything.

"The driver only knew because another passenger got on and told him."

Brighton and Hove buses warned passengers on their Twitter page: "All #BH48 services will now be terminating and starting from Churchill Square. They will not be operating to/from Brighton Station.

Later they added: "Our #BH24 & #BH26 services are now terminating and starting from the Old Steine due to delays caused by the road repairs on West Street."

"Our #BH24 & #BH26 services are now terminating and starting from the Old Steine due to delays caused by the road repairs on West Street."

The city's busiest bus route has been closed since mid September and work is not expected to finish until mid November.

Southern Water is resurfacing the road and has now moved into the third phase covering the area between Bond Street and the East Street roundabout.

Around 100 buses an hour used the stretch of road, however the stretch of road has been beset with problems.

Following previous water mains repairs the surface of the road crumbled under the weight of traffic, meaning it has now had to be redone.

A spokesperson from Southern Water said, "Our team repaired a broken manhole cover in West Street today. This was quickly fixed and everything put back as it was. This is the reason for the temporary diversion along North Road. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by this emergency work.”