The first phase of a major water mains improvement scheme being carried out by Essex & Suffolk Water on Beccles Road, Bradwell, will start on Monday 17 September.
This is a major scheme, which will involve the installation of 4.8km of new water main, and the construction of a new pumping station at the Lound Treatment Works. Work will be programmed across a number of phases to minimise disruption, and last for approximately nine months. The first phase will for around nine weeks.
The scheme will increase the capacity of the existing water network in the area, allowing Essex & Suffolk Water to provide a more efficient service to their customers.
Essex & Suffolk Water invited customers to a public exhibition on 1 August in Bradwell, to give residents the opportunity to find out more about the scheme. As a result of the feedback at the exhibition they have made the decision to have extra road warning signs prohibiting HGV vehicles travelling into the road closure.
Martin Lunn, Head of Technical Strategy & Support for Essex & Suffolk Water said "The project in Bradwell is part of our multi-million pound investment programme into the water infrastructure in the region. This essential upgrade work will help to reduce unplanned interruptions to supply for our customers and make sure we have secure and reliable supplies of water in future."
"I′d like to apologise in advance for any disruption caused and to thank communities and our customers for the co-operation while we carry out this vital work. We are writing to all residents who live within the length of the works in advance, and will have dedicated support available should customers need to get in touch with us during this time."
While the mains replacement work is taking place there will be a phased road closure on Beccles Road, to allow the work to be carried out safely for both our workforce and general public. Diversion routes will be in place during this time. The proposed programme of road closures for 17 September to 18 November 2018 is as follows -
• Beccles Road closed from the junction with Burnet Road, the diversion will be via the B1534 and the A47.
Highways England will also be carrying out mainly daytime works in the area from the start of September for approximately 6 weeks. Highways England, Essex & Suffolk Water and the local council have been working together to do both works during phase one of Essex & Suffolk Water′s improvements, to ensure there is as little disruption as possible during this period.
Highways England will be replacing the existing traffic lights at the junction of Beccles Road and Shrublands Way, to improve the flow of traffic and enhance the facilities for pedestrians. For the duration of their scheme, the slip roads leading on to and off of the A47 at the Beccles Road junction, and the access to and from Shrublands Way will be closed. A clearly sign posted diversion will be in place during the closures.
Essex & Suffolk Water will on average invest £45 million on essential improvements each year from 2015 to 2020 - a total of £225 million over the five years.
Further updates on the progress of the Bradwell works can be found on Twitter - @ESWH2O / @eswater_care.