B3105 Staverton roadworks 'beyond the halfway stage'

Although utility firm Wessex Water declined to give a completion date, it is hoped the work will be completed ahead of schedule.

The 26-week programme is currently due for completion in mid-December. The road is closed in both directions between the River Avon bridge and School Lane.

Wessex Water is pressure testing the new mains pipe works and then connecting the 180mm piping to the 200mm pipe before infilling. Photo: Trevor Porter 70271-4 (Image: Trevor Porter)

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “This essential water supply project, which has been proceeding along the B3105 in Staverton since July, is well beyond the halfway stage and our work team are pleased with its progress so far.

“We are continuing to work hard towards a point where we can reopen the road safely and will be writing to customers and businesses locally to update them on the end of the project as soon as we are in a position to do so.

“We would like to thank local customers for their patience, understanding and support during what is a complex scheme and we continue to work closely with them to minimise disruption.

“Our work to liaise with businesses to ensure people are aware they remain open during this work and encourage support of them is also continuing.’’

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The new mains water pipes are laid and the road surface partly replaced ahead of schedule at the top of the hill. Photo: Trevor Porter 70271-5 (Image: Trevor Porter)

Cllr Stewart Palmen, the leader of Trowbridge Town Council, welcomed the news, saying it would help to relieve traffic volumes and congestion in the town.

He added: “The road blockage at Staverton has shown how poor the road system is in Trowbridge, particularly when other roadworks are taking place in the town.

“It has shown that even a small blockage has the effect of bringing traffic to a standstill. Anything that results in an increase in throughput brings things grinding to a halt.”

The update is also sure to be welcomed by local businesses in Staverton, including The Bear pub and the Michael Blake Racing Yard next door which have been most impacted by the works.

They are understood to have been able to claim compensation from Wessex Water for any loss of business, although the company declined to confirm how much.

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: "Where businesses believe they have suffered losses as a result of work we've been doing in the public highway, they may able to claim compensation.”