Up to 12 weeks of traffic disruption will hit one of the Island’s busiest roads from next week as an ageing water main is replaced.
From Monday (19th September), Southern Water will be carrying out renewal works on a section of water mains on Fairlee Road and in Seaclose Park.
Work will reduce number of incidents
The work will replace the pipework which has suffered a number of bursts in recent years, the company says, and is part of on an ongoing investment programme to replace the worst sections.
It is hoped the work will cut the number of incidents, keep people in the area supplied with water and prevent supplies being wasted.
Phased work
The first section of pipe works to be renewed will be the 150 metres adjacent to the 1 Leisure and Medina College entrance before working into Seaclose Park.
It is expected the first phase, requiring temporary traffic lights, will last five to six weeks with the whole project taking around 12 weeks.
The work will finish at the end of the Medina footpath into the park.
Overnight work by leisure centre and school
To minimise disruption to the leisure centre and school, work will be done overnight to cross the entrance to the complex.
It is expected it will take two to three nights to complete. Southern Water has said it will do its best to get the work completed as quickly and quietly as it can.
Progress will be monitored
A Southern Water spokesperson has apologised for the traffic disruption the work will cause.
Island Roads has said it will monitor the water company’s progress and work to address any transport issues that may arise during the project.
The spokesperson said,
“As a utility company, Southern Water has a legal right to undertake work to maintain and improve its infrastructure.
“While it is their responsibility to manage the traffic arrangements around the work, Island Roads will continue to work with them to ensure these arrangements cause as little disruption as possible.”
Residents informed
Residents of Fairlee Road have been sent a letter to tell them about the work and to assure them water supplies may not be affected and driveway access will be maintained at all times.
Users of the Medina 1 Leisure Centre have also been warned about the disruption that may occur.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
