Severn Trent has completed a vital Worcestershire mains replacement scheme seven weeks early – ending traffic diversion disruption for locals.

The works to improve water supply in the area began on the A448 Kidderminster Road in Chaddesley Corbett on 19^th February and were due to be completed on 13^th May.

The scheme involved the closure of a section of the busy carriageway, with a lengthy traffic diversion in place along the necessary alternative A-roads during the proposed 12 week project.

But Severn Trent has today announced the scheme has been completed and the busy road will be reopened after just five weeks from 5pm tonight, 22^nd March.

Teams from Severn Trent contractors Watertight Management Ltd had worked seven days a week on the project, which will boost water supply in the area.

County Councillor Marcus Hart said: “I am delighted that Severn Trent have undertaken the works so efficiently that it has enabled the road to be re-opened well ahead of schedule and I am grateful to them for this.  I know this full road closure has been an inconvenience for local businesses and residents and thank everyone for their patience and understanding.”

Paul Hughes, Community Communications Officer at Severn Trent, said: “We are delighted to have finished this vital mains replacement project so quickly, as we know how disruptive road diversions can be for locals and businesses.

“Our contractor teams have worked extremely hard to get this scheme finished early, helped with the aid of specialist rock drill equipment.

“We finished final checks on Thursday (21^st March) in time to have the road fully re-opened from 5pm today (March 22).”

A public-drop in session had previously been held to keep locals up to date about the need for the scheme, attracting more than 100 people.

Severn Trent teams attended, along with representatives from Bromsgrove-based Watertight who had worked with another local company, Synergen Utilities, on the project.

Local councillors, businesses, bus companies and the emergency services had also been kept up to date throughout.  

Paul added: “We want to thank everyone for their patience and understanding. Road closures like this are inconvenient but are vital to protect our workers and the public as we carry out essential mains replacement.

“The Chaddesley Corbett works are hugely important as they will improve the water supply to households in the surrounding area, who have suffered issues in the past.”

Severn Trent has recently announced huge investment plans for Worcestershire including £250 million on its storm overflows to boost river health. 

The water company will make the investment over a 25-year period up to 2050, as part of its plans to reduce spills from storm overflows across the county. 

A total of 134 storm overflows across Worcestershire will undergo investment – which could range from increasing the capacity of its storage tanks to introducing green nature-based solutions. The company is also investing to ensure rivers are monitored closer than ever before with 100% of its storm overflows fitted with monitors. 

The investment for Worcestershire forms part of a wider £4.4bn injection into 2,472 storm overflows across the whole of the Severn Trent region.