Early start for £2 million Shrewsbury water pipes scheme

The works, which were due to start on October 5, have been brought forward by Severn Trent.

Up to two-and-a-half miles of piping will be replaced in the Oteley Road and Roman Road area in Meole Brace. The water firm said it had decided to bring forward the work so it can be finished a week earlier and "not impact on Christmas trade".

The mains in Roman Road have a history of leaks and bursts. The area was badly hit by flooding in 2014 and again earlier this year when water pipes burst, flooding homes and businesses with gallons of water, causing damage that cost thousands of pounds to repair.

Phase one of the work is set to take six weeks and road closures will be in place, phase two will run until December and a third phase will start in the new year.

Gareth Mead, spokesman for Severn Trent Water, said: "Some of our water pipes in Oteley Road have grown old and become brittle, meaning they can crack or burst.

"By laying new pipes, we'll be helping to prevent the disruption and inconvenience that can be caused by a burst water pipe. We anticipate this first part of the work will take six weeks, but we'll be working as quickly as possible to get the work finished sooner.

"We'll use temporary traffic lights from the side of the railway bridge to the junction of Sutton Grange Drive and entrance to Percy Thrower's Garden Centre, working past Shrewsbury Town Football Club.

"We'll then move along from the junction of Sutton Grange Drive and Percy Thrower's garden centre towards Thieves Lane roundabout."

Severn Trent's contract partner, Amey, will be carrying out the work.