Road closure planned for work on water mains near Wiltshire and Hampshire border
A343 section to shut for eight weeks as Wessex Water starts second phase of £250,000 upgrade
Essential work to improve the water supply near the Wiltshire-Hampshire border will resume in early March, marking the second phase of a £250,000 investment by Wessex Water.
Teams will return to the A343 road between Salisbury and Andover, continuing efforts to replace nearly a mile and a half of degrading water mains. To ensure the safety of both workers and road users, a section of the road between Lopcombe Corner and Jacks Bush will be closed to through traffic for up to eight weeks.
Reasons for closure
The decision to close the road follows a review of the safety measures in place during phase one of the project, which ran from September to December 2023. During the initial phase, traffic lights and speed restrictions were used, but the review with Wiltshire Council concluded that a closure was needed for the final phase.
A spokesperson for Wessex Water said: "Road closures are always a last resort but, after reviewing the outcomes from the first phase with Wiltshire Council, it was decided a closure was appropriate for the final phase of the scheme to help ensure safety is maintained."
Diversion routes and customer communication
During the closure, drivers will be diverted via the Salisbury Road (A343), Andover Bypass (A303), Romsey Road/Leckford Lane (A3057), and Salisbury Hill/Stockbridge Road (A30).
Local customers have been informed of the work through letters, and Wessex Water is coordinating with bus operators to minimise disruption to transport routes.
"We apologise for any inconvenience caused," the spokesperson added.
Wessex Water’s ongoing investments
The project is replacing an ageing water main prone to bursts and interruptions, ensuring a more reliable supply for local customers. It is part of a wider programme of work by Wessex Water, which spends around £16 million annually managing and reducing leaks, renewing infrastructure, and maintaining facilities to store and distribute water across the region.
The first phase preceding Christmas was completed successfully and adhered to the planned schedule.
This second phase of work will continue to ensure the long-term reliability of water supply in the area.
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