£160,000 Chideock water main upgrade underway (From Dorset Echo)

£160,000 Chideock water main upgrade underway

11:00am Sunday 13th January 2013 in News

Work to upgrade an ageing water main, which had experienced frequent bursts, will start in Chideock on Monday.

Wessex Water will replace around 550 metres of the iron main along the A35, Chideock Hill, to bring it up to modern standards.

The essential work, which will cost around £160,000, is expected to be completed within four weeks in a bid to ensure a reliable supply of water for local people.

Work during the first three weeks will be carried out under the use of two-way traffic lights which will be manually controlled.

The company explained that previous bursts had caused significant disruption to motorists along the busy road, and that the work would reduce the likelihood of this happening again.

Brian Sheppey, Wessex Water’s project manager for the scheme, said: “Past bursts on this section of water main had led to many people experiencing a loss to their water supply, which is not acceptable.

“We will do all we can to ensure that disruption is kept to a minimum, however due to the work being carried out on a main road it is inevitable that it will cause some disturbance to local people and motorists.

“Our staff will work extended hours throughout the week and over the weekends to ensure it is completed as quickly as possible.”

Due to a section of work being carried out on a steep incline, within a crawler lane, a lane closure will be in place between 7.30am and 7.30pm during the last week to maintain safety. Mr Sheppey added: “We have written to local people who may be affected by the work and would like to thank people in advance for their patience while work is carried out.”

Wessex Water said that staff would work extended hours, seven days a week, and added that traffic lights will be manually controlled at all times