CHIPPENHAM High Street will be closed all day every day for five days a week for almost three months just after Christmas, as a new sewer is being laid.

From January 5, the High Street will be completely closed to traffic from Sunday-Thursday for 12 weeks, avoiding market days.

Wessex Water say a new sewer is needed after they found some shops on the road who aren’t connected to the sewer properly.

High Street will closed at all times during the work, although shops and businesses will be open as normal and access will be provided for deliveries and pedestrians.

Richard Lewis, who is planning the work, said: “This work is necessary to ensure the sewer system is fit for purpose and safeguard the River Avon.

“We appreciate that the market is hugely important to the town community, which is why there will be no working on Fridays and Saturdays.

“Some overnight work may be needed to complete it as quickly as possible, and once we’re finished the council’s highways department will be taking the opportunity to resurface High Street.”