A BUSY road into Christchurch town centre will close for three months from today, Tuesday, January 25, so a collapsed sewer can be repaired.

Bargates will be closed off to traffic in one direction while Wessex Water carries out “substantial” repair work on a short stretch of the road near to the Fountain Roundabout.

Here's everything you need to know

What's happening and why? 

A collapsed sewer situated more than five metres below ground needs to be repaired. 

Wessex Water carried out emergency work in the area several weeks ago, with temporary overland pipes installed until the permanent fix is carried out. 

What closure will be in place? 

A one-lane closure will be in place between Stour Road and Fountain Way.

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “Please note that while a short stretch of this road will be shut to traffic in one direction, it will remain open the other way and, although a diversion is in place at the other end, business customers and deliveries will still be able to access and on-street parking will be unaffected.”

When will the work finish?

The work due to be completed by Friday, April 22.

Will there be a diversion?

A diversion from the junction of Stour Road at the northern end of Bargates will be in place via Stour Road and Barrack Road.

Access will be maintained for business customers and deliveries on the road as well as residents, although they will not be able to exit onto the Fountain Roundabout from Bargates due to the work taking place.

Bournemouth Echo: Wessex Water overground sewer pumping in Bargates, Christchurch

How will businesses be affected? 

As reported previously in the Daily Echo concerns had been raised by local businesses in the area over the closure.

Gary Adams, owner of Castles Home Hardware, said: “I told them if they are going to shut it for three months they will effectively bankrupt me. We will be finished and that is how stressful it is."

Read more: 'We will be finished': Business fears over three-month closure of main road

What has Wessex Water said? 

A statement posted on the Wessex Water website says: "We know there has been concern around the scope of this work on the collapsed sewer from both businesses and residents and we want to reassure them that while this is a significant repair, every effort has been made to minimise the impacts on them as much as possible.

"Local people and businesses have been informed about the work that needs to be carried out and they, their customers and deliveries will still have access throughout the repair.

"Bargates can still be accessed from the Fountain roundabout heading away from the town centre in the south with a diversion in place from the junction of Stour Road in the north for the one-lane closure.

"We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused by the road closure but it is necessary to ensure this work can be carried out to the collapsed sewer safely and we’ll be working hard to complete this work as quickly as possible.’’

Bournemouth Echo: Sewage repair works in Bargates, Christchurch

What about bus services?

Morebus has said that the 24, X1 and X2 services will be diverted as a result of the roadworks from January 25.

On Twitter, a Morebus spokesperson said: "Fairfield and Bargates "G" bus stops will not be in use towards Christchurch Town Centre for the duration of the closure."