DETAILS were released this week by Wessex Water of how it will improve a West Somerset village’s water mains during a nine-month programme.
Timberscombe faces disruption from January through to September next year as degrading water mains pipes throughout the village are replaced following a series of bursts in recent years.
The £850,000 project will boost quality of local water provision and will be completed in phases to keep disruption for villagers to a minimum as much as possible.
The Wessex Water investment comes after a £600,000 project further east earlier this year, which saw just under a mile of water main replaced near Stogursey, in the opening phase of a major overhaul south of Hinkley Point nuclear power station.
The water company recently held a public information session in Timberscombe to brief villagers and the parish council about its project.
Further updates will be sent to residents before the start of the work in the New Year and also during the course of the scheme.
Work will take place on the A396, Vicarage Court, Bemberry Bank, The Glebe, Forge Cottages, Jubilee Terrace, Church Street, Brook Street, Great House Street, Willow View, and from Willow Bank to Timberscombe Quarry and Orchard Way at various times.
Project manager Egidijus Mockevicius said: “This is an essential project to replace existing mains that have suffered from a significant number of bursts in the last few years.
“This has caused inconvenience and disruption to customers in the area and by installing new plastic pipes will ensure improved water quality and a more reliable source for years to come.
“We recognise this work will cause disruption in the village and, as well as working closely with local authorities to minimise those impacts, we have also met villagers at our well-attended drop-in session to answer their questions and will be keeping them informed throughout.’’
More disruption will occur in January, 2025, when further supply work is being planned on the A386 Dunster to Timberscombe road to the north of the village, with the details of the project still to be finalised later next year.
The phases of the 2024 Timberscombe scheme are as follows:
Monday 15 January - Monday 12 February 2024 - There will be three-way manned traffiic lights on A396 Timberscombe bypass between junctions with Vicarage Court and Brook Street. Vicarage Court will be closed to through traffic, with access maintained for residents and businesses and temporary bus stops in use.
Monday 12 February - Monday 18 March 2024 - Two-way traffic lights will be in place on the A396 Timberscombe bypass between 12 February and 11 March. Bemberry Bank will be closed to through traffic between 12 February and 18 March. Access will be maintained for residents, businesses and the school.
Monday 18 March - Monday 22 April 2024 - Road closure to through traffic at The Glebe and Forge Cottages, with access maintained for residents and businesses.
Monday 22 April - Monday 27 May 2024 - Road closure to through traffic at Jubilee Terrace and Church Street, with access maintained for residents and businesses.
Monday 27 May - Monday 24 June 2024 - Road closure to through traffic at Brook Street, with access maintained for residents and businesses.
Monday 24 June - Monday 12 August 2024 - Road closure to through traffic at Great House Street, Willow View and from Willow Bank to Timberscombe Quarry, with access maintained.
Monday 12 August - Monday 9 September 2024 - Road closure to through traffic at Orchard Way, with access maintained for residents and businesses.
Wessex Water is continuing to invest in its supply network by renewing ageing water mains as well as maintaining and improving facilities which help store and move water around the region to supply customers, with about £12 million spent each year on a regional network spanning about 7,500 miles.