Devizes Roadworks: New phase of Wessex Water scheme to start

Wessex Water is currently carrying out an extensive improvement project in Devizes, which is scheduled to run for nearly two years.

Temporary traffic lights have been in place on Long Street throughout January while Hillworth Road is scheduled to be closed until early February.

Since the project began in September, roadworks or road closures have been in place at Sheep Street, Maryport Street, Monday Market Street, Sidmouth Street, Morris Lane, Bridewell Street, and Hare & Hounds Street at different points.

Now the first phase of the four-part scheme, which the utilities company now expects to cost £2 million, is nearing completion.

The next section of works will start on Monday, March 4, and will take until the beginning of November to complete.

Roadworks on Long Street, Devizes (Image: Newsquest)

Phases two and three of the improvement plan are being merged and will focus on the centre of Devizes.

This will see a combination of road closures and multi-way traffic signals implemented in St Johns Street, St Johns Court, High Street, Wine Street, The Market Place, Station Road, and Castle Lane, at various stages over the next 10 months.

Wessex Water project manager Louie Cosentino said: “The opening section of this extensive project has progressed really well and our thanks go to customers and businesses throughout Devizes for their patience and understanding while our team has worked hard to complete it on schedule. 

“We know that such a major investment inevitably means there is a significant impact on the town but we’ve worked closely with them and Wiltshire Council to ensure that any disruption is kept to a minimum as much as possible and we’ve reopened roads as we’ve progressed. 

Roadworks in Devizes (Image: Newsquest)

“That will continue in this middle phase of the project and, as well as writing to customers and businesses directly again, we’re holding further public drop-in sessions in the town to give customers more information about the forthcoming phase and answer any questions they may have.”

During the works, Wessex Water teams have upgraded pipes carrying water to homes and businesses in the area by replacing cast-iron mains with plastic pipes to reduce the risk of leaks.

Completion of all four phases is expected to take place by April 2025.

A public session will be held for residents in the Market Place on Thursday, February 1, between 9am and 3pm, before a second event at the town hall on Monday, February 12, from 4pm to 8pm.