Essential work to start on Exeter High Street next week
Essential work to address persistent drainage and subsidence problems in Exeter’s High Street is scheduled to start next week, Wednesday 16th January until Thursday 28 March.
New work, to be completed before Easter, will see new gullies and pipework installed along the length of the road from Queen Street to Broadgate.
Previous work to resolve 'settling' of the road and drainage problems have proven short-lived and the existing gully system is failing to adequately handle surface water, causing further damage to the road's substructure.
The City Centre will remain open for business throughout the duration, says John Harvey, Exeter City Centre Manager.
“These street works are essential and, although no-one ever likes such work, the work is needed to put right a problem with its roots back in the City's post-war reconstruction.
"Extensive consultation has been, and continues to be, undertaken with the City Centre business community and we've taken great care over the timetabling of the work, with the aim being to minimise the impact on shoppers, visitors to the City Centre. Work should be completed before the important Easter period.
"Our recent track record on managing major utility works in the City Centre is exceptional, and I'll be looking for more of the same."
To be completed in phases, South West Highways will initially work overnight to avoid disruption during the day.
Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout the whole period, and buses will continue to run, with a short diversion to avoid the work.
Taking advantage of the work, and to minimise any further inconvenience to the public and businesses, Wales and West will also be replacing a gas main in the footway from Broadgate towards the NatWest bank during the same period.
Timing for the work has been scheduled to fall after the rush of January sales and before the Easter holidays, to be as least disruptive as possible.
Councillor Stuart Hughes, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for Highways and Transportation said:
"The work is essential. We’ve tried to address these long-standing problems with drainage and subsidence for some years, and with some success. However this work should really get to the bottom of the underlying problems.
"We will be doing everything we can to minimise the impact on pedestrians, businesses and local residents throughout the duration, but I should apologise in advance for any inconvenience this may cause."
Local Member for St David’s and St James, Cllr Philip Brock, said:
“I am pleased that common sense has prevailed, and that this work will be carried out to minimise disruption. It will be a testing time for businesses, city workers, and shoppers, but I hope everyone will understand the importance of having these essential works carried out."
