Essential work to upgrade the water supply on Creephedge Lane, East Hanningfield will start on Monday 24 June.
Essex & Suffolk Water is carrying out the work to improve the drinking water supply network in the area, by replacing existing mains, which will improve reliability and safeguard supplies for many years to come.
This is an essential scheme as the existing water main in the area has weakened in recent years, and has become more prone to bursts. This leads to unplanned interruptions to the water supply for customers, more leakage on the network, and more travel inconvenience caused by roadworks.
Due to the narrowness of the road, a road closure will be necessary to allow the work to be carried out safely. Essex & Suffolk Water has worked in conjunction with Essex County Council Highways to agree the road closure and diversion route.
The actual section of Creephedge Road that will be closed will match the length of the work, which will be 400m either side of Buckhatch Lane and Leighams Road. The diversion route will be as follows -
East Hanningfield to South Woodham Ferrers - To Bicknacre using Bicknacre Road and then down to South Woodham Ferrers using Main Road. Alternatively along East Hanningfield Road to Rettendon Village, then the Main Road (old A130) to Rettendon Turnpike and along Woodham Road or A132 to South Woodham Ferrers.
South Woodham Ferrers to East Hanningfield or heading towards Chelmsford - Either as above in opposite direction, or if heading to A12/Chelmsford then use A130/Main Road from the Rettendon Turnpike junction.
There will also be points during the work when a closure of the staggered crossroads on Creephedge Lane at its junction with Buckhatch Lane and Leighams Road will be required. Essex & Suffolk Water hopes to keep this route open for as much as possible during the works, but this will be under review depending how the scheme progresses.
Engagement has taken place with local businesses operating in the area about the works, including RHS Garden Hyde Hall. The main entrance to Hyde Hall will be open throughout the works, but will only be accessible form the south along Creephedge Lane at South Woodham Ferrers.
During the work there may be times when water supplies to properties on Creephedge Lane will be interrupted for a period of up to three hours, but at least 48 hours′ notice will be provided to residents via a card which will be hand delivered by a site supervisor. There may also be other water supply interruptions of less than 30 minutes, but advance notice of these will also be provided before they take place.
Daren Still, Project Manager for Essex & Suffolk Water said: "This project is part of our multi-million pound investment programme into the water infrastructure in the region. This essential upgrade work will help to reduce 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."
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.