Salisbury A-road Closure Planned for £250,000 Water Main Upgrade
The upcoming phase of a significant £250,000 water infrastructure project on the A343 in Wiltshire is scheduled to commence in early March. This initiative will focus on enhancing the water supply along the border with Hampshire.
Salisbury A-road Closure for Water Main Upgrade
Work crews will replace nearly 1.5 miles of aging water mains on the A343, specifically between Salisbury and Andover. To ensure safety for both workers and motorists, a section of the road will be closed for up to eight weeks. This decision follows the completion of the initial phase from Lopcombe Corner to Middle Wallop, which took place from September to December. That phase was carried out under speed restrictions and with traffic lights.
Details of the Road Closure
The road closure will extend from Lopcombe Corner to Jacks Bush. A designated diversion route will guide motorists through:
- Salisbury Road (A343)
- Andover Bypass (A303)
- Romsey Road/Leckford Lane (A3057)
- Salisbury Hill/Stockbridge Road (A30)
Impact on Local Residents and Services
A spokesperson for Wessex Water emphasized the importance of this project, stating it addresses issues with an old water main that has been prone to failures, leading to supply interruptions. While road closures are not ideal, the decision came after a thorough safety review with the Wiltshire Council.
To keep residents informed, Wessex Water has reached out to customers in the area regarding the work. They are also collaborating with local bus services to minimize disruptions along their routes. Wessex Water regrets any inconvenience that may result from this essential upgrade.
Ongoing Commitment to Water System Improvement
Wessex Water is committed to enhancing the water supply system. The company invests significantly in renewing outdated mains and protecting the water network. Annually, they manage approximately 16,000 leaks and allocate around £16 million to preventing water loss.