Main event will boost water supply near Trowbridge

The major investment to improve water supply in west Wiltshire will take another step forward this summer as a £500,000 project to upgrade mains on the outskirts of Trowbridge is completed.

Nearly 500 metres of new water pipe will be laid near the village of Staverton in a five-month project to replace the degrading cast-iron main which has become prone to bursting.

The supply boost follows hot on the heels of a £250,000 project to relay more than a kilometre of water main in the village of Southwick to the west side of Trowbridge, which is due to be concluded this month.

A £1 million scheme to upgrade water mains in the Wiltshire town of Devizes is also scheduled to get under way later this summer as Wessex Water’s substantial investment in water infrastructure throughout the region continues, with more than £8 million a year currently being spent on replacing ageing water mains.

The Staverton project will see a new pipe laid within the the B3105 (New Terrace) running through the village, between the railway bridge near Staverton Social Club and the Cereal Partners complex near the River Avon, with the work taking place between July and December.

Wessex Water's Director of Construction and Infrastructure Maintenance, Eddie Rant, said: "We're investing millions in upgrading water mains throughout the Wessex Water region, tackling issues where the old mains are deteriorating over time and causing issues for the supply to our customers.

"Laying the new plastic pipes can alleviate many of these issues, reducing the likelihood of bursts and ensuring an improved and reliable water quality for years to come as well as ensuring we reduce leaks.

"With what is clearly a major project, we’re working closely both with the local community and Wiltshire Council to ensure we keep disruption to a minimum and get this work completed as quickly and safely as possible.

The 21-week scheme will see the B3105 closed to through traffic from Wednesday 26 July from the railway bridge to the Slipway near the river Avon to allow the main to be replaced in the road. Residents and businesses along the road will continue to have access. Utility company Wales & West will also be carrying out some of their own work within this closure.

A light vehicle diversion will be in place using the B3105 to Hilperton, A361 to Semington, A350 to Melksham, B3107 Bradford Road and B3106 from Holt, with heavy goods vehicles using the B3105 to Hilperton, A361 to Semington, A350 to Melksham, A365 Bath Road and B3109 and B3105 roads.

The work is expected to finish by mid-December but prior to the start of the project, Wessex Water will host a public drop-in session at Staverton Social Club on the B31015 between 4-7pm on Thursday 22 June 2023 where there will be the opportunity to meet the project team and have questions about the work answered.

Wessex Water project manager Louie Cosentino said: “We recognise that this essential work will have a major impact on Staverton and journeys to and from surrounding areas which is why we have worked closely with Wiltshire Council during the planning stages and spoken directly to local customers.

"But we've also liaised directly with parish and town councils in Trowbridge, Bradford on Avon, Holt and Staverton to understand their concerns and we hope local people will attend the drop-in session to speak to our team, ask any questions and find out more about the scheme."