Motorists face disruption for up to two months while a stretch of water main along two major Shrewsbury roads is replaced as part of a £200,000 project.
Severn Trent Water’s contractors, Enterprise, will begin work on May 3 to renew 1.5km of the water main along Sutton Road and Wenlock Road, which water bosses say will benefit 1,000 householders.
Letters were due to be sent out to affected residents this week, stressing that the investment was needed to make sure customers ‘continue to enjoy a reliable supply of high quality water’.
The letter goes on to say that steps will be taken to ensure road work disruption is kept to a minimum, with access to the front of homes and driveways maintained where possible. Work is expected to be completed by July.
Meanwhile, public exhibitions will be held in the foyer of Shropshire Council Office, Shirehall, Abbey Foregate, on April 6 between 2pm and 8pm and April 7 between 9am and 2pm, for people to find out more.
Councillor Jon Tandy, Shropshire Council ward member for Sutton, told the Chronicle the work would cause disruption, and would mean motorists would have to use London Road to get into town.
“We’ve had so much upheaval on the roads over the past year with it being dug up 15 times, that these works will hopefully relieve this problem,” he said.
In the letter it warns that if problems are encountered during the works, this can delay the time it takes to get the job done.
It adds that members of the project teams will be available on both days to answer any questions. Alternatively, people can contact Enterprise on 0800 521 660 or Severn Trent Water on 0800 783 4444.
Grace Marren, spokeswoman for Severn Trent Water, said trial holes would be drilled into the water main to inspect its quality, before the road was dug up.
“We are replacing the water mains along Sutton Road and Wenlock Road because we want to make sure we can improve our service to customers,” she said. “ A new water main will mean it is less likely to have bursts or leaks.”
In January 2009, both roads were closed for two weeks for essential gas and water main works, with traffic diverted via Oteley Road, Thieves Lane and London Road. The closures left some commuters stranded after their usual bus stop was moved.
by Charlotte Hester