A ROADWORKS nightmare in Christchurch has come to an end today – five weeks ahead of schedule.

Motorists have been hit by long queues and extended journeys due to Bargates being closed to vehicles heading towards Fountain Roundabout since January.

The Wessex Water work to repair a deep-lying collapsed sewer was not due to be completed until Friday, April 22.

Having worked seven days a week, Wessex Water engineers have finished the project and fully reopened the road today, March 18.

Wessex Water project manager Paul Musselwhite: “We’re very pleased to have been able to complete this work well ahead of schedule and have to thank our Wessex Water team that has worked so hard seven days a week for the last couple of months to get it finished.

“This was a major project to repair a collapsed sewer that was lying deep in the road, but we worked hard to ensure the impact on local people was kept to a minimum as much as possible and that businesses did not suffer adverse effects for their customers and deliveries.”

The collapsed sewer was more than five metres below ground.

While the lane closure was in place between Stour Road and Fountain Way, a diversion was in place via Stour Road and Barrack.

The company initially carried out an emergency repair on the collapsed sewer last year, laying temporary pipework to ensure sewerage services were maintained for residents and businesses on the road. Engineers had to return to carry out a permanent fix.

Wessex Water said it worked with business owners in Bargates to ensure the message that they remained open for business throughout the project was spread throughout the area via and advertisements in the local media.

Richard Pearson, transport network manager for BCP Council, said: “We thank them for their patience, understanding and co-operation while this essential repair took place and for BCP Council for their support while the project progressed.

“I am very pleased that this essential work has been completed sooner than expected and traffic can return to normal in this area.

“Thank you to the residents for their patience and understanding and well done to the team at Wessex Water for progressing and completing this complex and challenging work sooner than expected and ensuring the sewers in this area continue to flow.”

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