Reading Road, Frogmore Closed to Through Traffic from Monday 25th July

South East Water is to lay a new 1.4km long water main along Reading Road in Frogmore.  The new 600mm diameter (24") main is needed to help deliver a more secure, robust water supply to both existing and future customers in the region, as the existing smaller water main is reaching its capacity and will not cope with the expected demand for water.

 

The scheme will be carried out in two phases starting from Monday 25th July 2011 and will take approximately 18 weeks to complete.  To ensure the health and safety of the public and the Company's contractors it will be necessary to close Reading Road between the A30 and Darby Green Road to through traffic only for the duration of the scheme, however access to residential properties and businesses will be maintained at all times.

Phase One

Phase one of the scheme will see the new water main laid from the junction with the A30, north west along Reading Road finishing at the junction with Green Lane.

Phase Two

Phase two will continue north west along Reading Road between Green Lane and the roundabout junction with Darby Green Road.

 

Graham Webb, South East Water Delivery Manager, said: "We have been working closely with Hampshire Highways Authority and local stakeholders to carefully plan this work and have carefully considered the impact on the local environment as well as the community.

 

"Originally we planned to begin work along Reading Road starting at the Darby Green Road junction working in a south easterly direction, however, to minimise disruption to Frogmore County Infant School we have swapped the phases round and aim to complete phase one during the school summer holidays."

 

To ensure the scheme is completed as quickly as possible the Company will have two contractor gangs undertaking the work simultaneously. Construction will take place between 8am and 6pm weekdays, as well as activity on Saturdays. The work is expected to take approximately 18 weeks to complete in total.

 

The diversion route, which has been determined by Hampshire Highways, will be clearly signed for the duration of the work and will take motorists along Cricket Hill Lane and the A30.

 

Additionally, extra advance warning signs will be set out at earlier points on the road network giving motorists an earlier opportunity to seek alternative routes. Advanced notices will be displayed ahead of the works to warn of the closure.

Graham Webb continued:  "While our contractors will make sure directly affected residents can reach their homes and go about their normal business, we do appreciate the road closure to other traffic means there will be disruption to the wider community.

 

"I would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience this work will cause, however I hope residents can bear with us and appreciate the short term pain of this scheme is for the long term benefit of their drinking water supplies."

 

South East Water shall keep its website updated during the project including a map to show the diversion route.

Image provided by South East Water