Sewer repairs bring fresh road chaos to Cheltenham
JUST as major roadworks on one side of Cheltenham are coming to an end, diggers have moved into Bath Road, blocking off another of the town's main routes.
Severn Trent workers took up residence at the site yesterday to make further repairs to a broken sewer, causing severe disruption to motorists and traders in the process.
It is the third time in the past six months that the busy road has been closed off and exasperated traders voiced hopes this time the problem would be fixed for good.
The work came as a road resurfacing scheme on Prestbury Road, Clarence Road and Evesham Road, was scheduled to come to an end today. It had been carried out without any serious disruption.
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Business owners in Bath Road said the latest scheme was an inconvenience they could do without.
Peter Matthews, who owns Peter & Son barbers, said: "The road was closed off and probably as a result of that it has been very quiet.
"It affects a lot of people and I don't suppose anyone is particularly happy about it.
"It is what it is. If the work has to be done there is nothing we can do about it.
"But it does cause a lot of disruption and blocks off the whole of this side of Cheltenham."
The work means the route will be closed to traffic between the junctions with Grosvenor Street and Bath Street for the next two weeks.
It comes after the same stretch was closed off in October and August last year for repairs to the same sewer.
Paul added: "Let's hope this is the last time they have to do it. They have already closed the road twice so this could be third time lucky."
Diversions have been set up to take traffic away from the road, causing queues on London Road and Old Bath Road.
Severn Trent said the repairs, whilst inconvenient, were necessary.
A spokeswoman said "We always try and complete work while causing as little disruption as possible to the local community."
Western Power Distribution is also carrying out electrical repairs at the site while Severn Trent's work is ongoing.
Meanwhile traders in Prestbury Road said despite the disruption caused by the county council road resurfacing scheme over the past nine days, they were glad the work had been carried out.
Simon Butland, who owns Pittville Bathrooms, said: "We have certainly felt the impact of the roadworks over the last week or so.
"All the traders I spoke to noticed how much quieter it has been.
"That said, the work needed doing and the road will look a lot better now it is finished.
"We really all had to just grin and bear it while it was going on."
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