Ellesmere water supply works begin

Major work to ease water supply problems affecting homes and businesses in a north Shropshire town got under way today as Severn Trent started work at Wharf Road in Ellesmere.

It is hoped the utility giant's work will address the ongoing problems with reduced supply and lost supply when water mains around the town burst.

It comes after two incidents this year which left hundreds of homes and businesses with a reduced supply.

In September up to 600 customers were affected and, back in March, about 500 were hit when the water main problem flared up again.

Rachel Blackman, a Severn Trent Water spokeswoman, said: "Severn Trent Water will be replacing 60 metres of water main in Ellesmere between Monday, November 22, and Friday, December 3.

"Wharf Road will remain open throughout the work, but two-way traffic lights will be in operation.

"We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience and wish to assure them that we will be completing the work in the shortest amount of time possible."

In the wake of previous incidents, Severn Trent engineers have been called out to fix pipes at locations including the A495 towards Oswestry.

Town business leaders have previously branded problems with the water supply as a "real pain".

Lincoln McMullan, chairman of the town's chamber of trade and commerce, said: "It happens frequently and around the same spot."