Businesses in a Wiltshire town centre have been given a boost after a major roadworks scheme was rescheduled.
Wessex Water is currently carrying out works in Devizes Market Place that are not due to be completed until late October.
This is part of the most recent phase of a £2 million scheme to replace the town’s degrading water pipes.
Busy retail areas including Wine Street, High Street, and Little Brittox were next in line following the completion of this stage.
But, following discussions with Devizes Town Council and the Federation of Small Businesses, Wessex Water has revealed it will be reordering this work to minimise disruption during the build-up to Christmas.
It is hoped this will ensure footfall and traffic into the town centre and its shops during this period.
READ MORE: Devizes Market Place dug up as roadworks scheme continues
FSB development manager Ruth Lambert said: “We are delighted that Wessex Water has been so accommodating.
“Local businesses we work with understand how essential this work is to the town but are really pleased that the main shopping areas of Devizes will now remain open to customers in the run-up to Christmas.
“We would encourage residents to support their town by exploring the wide range of present ideas Devizes independents have on offer.”
Work will now take place in Station Road, Castle Place, and Morris Lane, where shorter stages are required, between the end of October and the start of the festive period.
Station Road is scheduled to close for three weeks from October 28, while Castle Place will shut for two weeks from November 18, and the Morris Lane footway will close for three weeks from December 2.
The laying of replacement water mains in Wine Street, High Street, and Little Brittox will now take place in early 2025.
The roads will close for eight weeks when work resumes on January 6 before Little Brittox is hit by two weeks of night closures from March 3.
The current phase of the project is still expected to finish by March next year while the details of phase four have not yet been confirmed.
A Wessex Water spokesperson added: “The current phase of this scheme is proceeding well and as it stands, we expect to be finished in Market Place on schedule by the end of October.
“This complex project involves difficult excavation and pipe-laying within areas that are frequently busy with traffic and pedestrians.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of towns such as Devizes and we’re conscious of how important the run-up to Christmas is for them.”
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