A £600,000 upgrade to pipes carrying water to and from homes and businesses in west Wiltshire will be completed in early 2023 as a multi-million pound investment in the region’s water network continues. 

Wessex Water’s projects to ensure a more reliable future water supply and reduce the risk of leaks and sewer collapses in Southwick start in January Southwick. 

Back-to-back schemes will see more than 1300 metres of sewer pipes repaired and relined to ensure their resilience for decades to come, while more than a kilometre of degrading water main will also be replaced with new plastic pipes. 

The bulk of the work will use ‘no-dig techniques to reduce the time taken and the impact on people and businesses. Robots and specialist equipment working underground will help complete the sewer repairs and reduce disruption, with only a small amount of excavation needed to help lay the new water main. 

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “This is a major investment to improve both water supply and sewer services in Southwick, ensuring the network is resilient for years to come and reducing the risk of disruption for our customers. 

“Our teams have worked closely with Wiltshire Council to agree a programme that ensures these projects can be completed safely and within a timeframe that minimises disruption for road users and the local community as much as possible.’’ 

Starting on January 30, the nine-phase programme will be focused in and around the A361 Frome Road throughout Southwick for 17 weeks, with the bulk of the work taking place under temporary traffic lights. 

Working with the local authority, most of the work will only start after each day’s morning school run, while in most cases, the temporary traffic lights will be switched off in the evening and on some weekends, including the Easter weekend, to ease traffic movement.  

“We recognise this is a well-used road in and out of the Trowbridge area and we’ve been speaking to those most directly affected by the work and have also written to residents and businesses throughout Southwick to inform them about this programme of work. 

“We have also been in contact with parish and town councils, county councillors and schools and colleges to ensure as many people as possible are aware. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and will be working hard to complete this work safely and on schedule.’’