Water company chiefs are to meet residents in Nantwich to explain a four-month delay to a £3.5million project at the River Weaver.
Severn Trent Water’s project to install new pipes under and over the river by Nantwich Lake have been delayed after engineers found a fault in the bridge where the new water pipe needs to be laid.
They say not fixing the bridge could leave new pipes at risk of damage – and leave 27,000 homes without water supplies.
Now the company is holding a drop-in session to explain the additional work which needs to be done.
Gareth Mead, spokesperson for Severn Trent Water, said: “We’re sorry for the ongoing problems caused by our work to install new water pipes in the area.
“We’re aware of the inconvenience it’s causing local people and we’d like to reassure them we’re working really hard to get the work done as quickly as possible.
“Unfortunately, we’ve found a fault with the bridge which will mean another three to four months of work, which we apologise for.”
The drop-in session is taking place on Shrewbridge Road car park, opposite Brookfield Park in Nantwich this Wednesday May 20, between 4pm and 7pm.
Residents can meet Severn Trent Water and Amey teams to get an update and hear more about the project.
Mr Mead added: “The large water pipe we’re replacing takes water from boreholes in Peckforton to Coopers Green reservoir in North Staffordshire, 27 kilometres away.
“On its route the water makes several crossings, including over a bridge – and it’s this bridge we’ve found needs repairing.
“If any of these pipes were to leak or burst, it could leave 27,000 customers without water – and a repair in this location would be difficult and take some time.
“Once the new pipes are in place, we’ll be able to reroute water quickly should there be a problem, and have water supplies back on in no time at all.
“We’d like to thank local residents for their understanding and patience while we complete this work which will offer a reliable water service to thousands of customers in the future.”
Bring back Tom!! Newly laid car park and landscaping must be in the budget of works???
I wish our water supply did not smell so much of chemical, if it didn’t I would probably drink it!
Are the 27000 customers likely to be affected in Nantwich? If not, where are they? I live in Nantwich and my water supplier is United Utilities , not Severn Trent.
Brangane, the clue is in the article (assuming you’ve actually read it):
“The large water pipe we’re replacing takes water from boreholes in Peckforton to Coopers Green reservoir in North Staffordshire, 27 kilometres away.
It is irrelevant that the pipeline isn’t supplying Nantwich with water. However, as with most projects of this nature the deadline for completion has slipped.
There are such things as penalty clauses in civil engineering contracts. But it does seem that unforseen work has resulted in the delays…
I would say, being a regular visitor to the lake the reason for the overrun is because half the time there is no work being done there. Weeks and weeks after Christmas, no one there, out of the eighteen months they have been there maybe twelve months some one has been working.
Disgraceful.
A four month delay? Would be useful to know actually when this four month delay is, either from May to September, or from August when completion was previously promised to December!!