Devizes town centre roadworks updated timetable revealed

Wessex Water has been carrying out a £2 million scheme to revamp the water supply in Devizes since last August, with different phases affecting various roads around the town.

The utilities firm has now outlined the remaining steps of the project’s middle phase, which began in March, with the Market Place set to be the focus of work over the coming months.

Teams will move to the town’s square for 10 weeks in August to lay plastic water mains that will replace existing cast-iron pipes.

Two-way traffic lights will continue on Market Place and New Park Street before works move to the Market Place itself from Monday, August 19.

From then, the north side carriageway of the square will be closed to traffic, with a one-way system in place to ensure drivers can move through Market Place.

Wessex Water plans to reduce disruption to businesses and loss of parking spaces by working on small areas at a time and carrying out evening work.

READ MORE: Devizes roadworks delayed as Wessex Water scheme continues

A timetable for roadworks in Devizes Market Place (Image: Wessex Water)

Thursday market days will be unaffected with construction crews carrying out light tasks without heavy machinery on these dates.

The Market Place section of the scheme should be finished by the end of October and will be followed by mainlaying on Wine Street and High Street until December.

The pedestrianised Little Brittox will then be closed at night for two weeks during January.

Sections in Castle Lane, Station Road, and Morris Lane footway will be completed between January and the conclusion of the middle phase in mid-March.

Before the final phase of the project begins, which will involve work to the east of the town centre, a review and public consultation will be carried out.

Project manager, Louie Cosentino emphasised that measures are being taken to reduce the impact of the middle phase of the project on residents and businesses.

SEE ALSO: Key Devizes town centre roads to close as roadworks begin

A timetable for roadworks in Devizes (Image: Wessex Water)

He said: “From the very start of this project, we’ve been working closely with local customers and businesses to balance the need to complete this essential main replacement with our determination to minimise disruption for local people as much as possible.

“This will continue when we’re in Market Place and by splitting up our work there into smaller sub-sections we can ensure that the area is still accessible for parking and through traffic and for access to the local shops and businesses.”

The initial phase of the project, which included roadworks in Sheep Street, Maryport Street, Monday Market Street, Sidmouth Street, Morris Lane, Bridewell Street, Long Street, Hare and Hounds Street, and Hilworth Road, was completed on time earlier this year.

The scheme has since faced some delays due to the complex nature of the work, leading to the revised timetable being released.

Mr Cosentino added: “This is a complex scheme which involves difficult excavation and pipe-laying within areas that are frequently busy with both traffic and pedestrians.

“In some areas it has proved more challenging than envisaged, leading to delays in moving on to subsequent sections of work, for which we apologise.

Roadworks in Devizes in May this year (Image: Newsquest)

“However, I would like to thank the people and businesses in the town and Devizes Town Council for their understanding continuing to work cooperatively with us to ensure we keep this disruption manageable for all.

“We have both met with and written to all customers to outline how the current phase will proceed to its conclusion in March.

“Our teams will be working safely and quickly to get this essential project finished promptly, helping to ensure improved water quality and a more reliable supply for many years to come.’’