Several road closures are expected to cause disruption with a six-month sewer upgrade scheme set to get underway.
A Wessex Water project to add extra capacity to the sewer network in eastern Chippenham will kick off in July.
During the works London Road, near the Pack Horse Inn, Black Cross and Long Close will all close at different stages.
A 10-metre deep storage tank, sunk below ground off Long Close, will be constructed to prevent the sewer system from being overwhelmed and spilling over at nearby properties.
READ MORE: Town centre roadworks delayed as £2m scheme continues
London Road in Chippenham (Image: Newsquest)
Project manager Paul Delves explained the scheme would be “vital” in relieving pressure on the system.
He said: “By building this additional storage, we can help to ensure the sewer network’s ability to withstand the arrival of large volumes of water in a short space of time, such as during a heavy storm.
“The tank we are building will be able to hold an additional 250,000 litres of water back from the network, to ensure the threat of the system becoming overwhelmed and causing flooding to nearby homes is diminished.
“This stormwater combines in the sewer with the foul water from homes and businesses and can also cause overflows to operate, but by retaining it in the tank, it can be returned to the sewer later, prior to being piped to a water recycling centre for treatment.
“We’re also building more than 200 metres of gravity sewer and nearly 300 metres of rising main as part of our investment in the area.’’
London Road is scheduled to close to through traffic, between Wiltshire Tyres and the Pack Horse Inn, during sewer construction from July 25 to August 31.
Black Cross will shut, between London Road and Long Close, while a gravity main is installed between August 26 and September 20.
A further closure on Long Close will be in place between September 16 and September 27.
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A play area next to the storage tank site will also be shut for the duration of the project, which is expected to be completed by January next year.
Mr Delves added: “We’ve worked closely with Wiltshire Council to minimise the impact of these road closures and have written to customers in the area about this work.
“Wessex Water will also host a community drop-in session where members of the project team will be available to answer questions from customers about this project and our wider work.’’
This session will be held between 2pm and 6pm on Tuesday, June 11, at Chippenham Town Hall.
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