Major road closures are happening from today (Friday, April 5) as part of Severn Trent's £16 million project to install a 3km mains pipe in the city.

Following investigation works, engineering teams are now ready to start putting the pipe, which will ensure a secure a reliable and sustainable water supply, in the ground. 

The water company has announced additional road closures will need to take place starting from April 5, due to finish on April 15. 

The main one of these is the A51 Tarvin Road junction with Brassey Street, which will be closed to through traffic from Friday, April 5 until Friday, April 12.

A diversion is in place for traffic to use the A56 and A41 as an alternate route.

The team will then move on to Christleton Road, starting with a lane closure from 9.30am on Friday, April 12, then a full road closure from 8pm on Saturday, April 13 until 6.30am Sunday, April 14 when it will revert back to a lane closure until 6.30am on Monday, April 15.  

Catherine Webb, Severn Trent community communications officer, said: “We would like to thank everyone for their ongoing support and patience as we continue this vital work in Chester.

"These closures are a major part of the project that will see us start laying the new pipe, which is a huge positive step forward in this scheme and shows the progress we are making. 

“For the safety of the community and our team further roadworks will be now implemented. We know that these will be frustrating, and we apologise for any extra inconvenience over the next few days, and we will work as quickly as possible to get this part of the scheme done.” 

Teams are currently working along Chester Road work towards the junction of Gorse Way under three-way traffic lights.

Butterbache Road will remain closed at the junction of Chester Road to enable Severn Trent to contain its welfare unit and equipment. These works and road closures will be completed and removed on Monday, April 15. 

As work continues along the road, from the Gorse Way junction, Chester Road will be closed to through traffic. Pedestrian and cyclist access will be maintained throughout the works, but cyclists will be required to dismount alongside the working area.   

Following the investigation work that took place along Christleton Road, the team is now ready to start putting the pipe in the ground, necessitating the A51 Tarvin Road section closure.  

The top of Sandy Lane will also be closed from April 12 onwards.

This is one of the biggest investments Severn Trent has made in the city, connecting Boughton Water Treatment works to Huntington Water Treatment Works.    

Severn Trent customers in Chester receive a water-only service from the company, with around 100,000 customers in the city and 46,000 households.    

The water treatment works at Boughton, on the outskirts of Chester has been treating water from the River Dee and providing drinking water for the people of Chester for more than 160 years.  

Businesses that allow customers into their premises to purchase goods or services who might be affected are asked to contact the Business Loss Team - businessloss@severntrent.co.uk for further advice.    

For further information or to be kept updated on the works as they take place, visit www.stwater.co.uk/in-my-area/planned-improvements       

A private Facebook group for residents of this scheme to get updates and ask questions on the work has also been set up and can be found at http://tinyurl.com/STChester.