The story so far
Our seven-figure overhaul of supply services in the Wiltshire market town got under way in autumn 2023, as we replaced cast-iron mains with plastic pipes to safeguard the reliability of the system and reduce the risk of leaks, pushing back the start to ensure that year’s Devizes Carnival could take place unimpeded.
Teams carried out refits in Sheep Street, Maryport Street, Monday Market Street and Sidmouth Street, Morris Lane, Bridewell Street, Long Street, Hare and Hounds Street and Hilworth Road, the first of a scheduled four-part project.
Next phase
Phases two and three of the project were merged, starting at the beginning of March 2024.
In total, more than two kilometres of pipes will be replaced throughout the centre of the town, including St Johns Street, St Johns Court, High Street, Wine Street, The Market Place, Station Road and Castle Lane, by the middle of March 2025.
Each phase has been carefully planned to ensure the minimum amount of disruption to the local community.
Working with the community
We held public drop-in sessions in the town prior to each of the phases starting to give customers more information about the forthcoming phase and answer any questions they may have had.
Our team has also worked closely with Wiltshire Council, Devizes Town Council and business representatives in the town – including the Federation of Small Businesses – to take steps to help reduce the impact of the work on local traders.
This has included reducing our operations on Devizes’ important Thursday market days and ensuring the area is clear and accessible for events such as the autumn Devizes Carnival and Confetti Battle.
To help local businesses in the run-up to the important Christmas period, we have also reordered our work so that shorter elements of the work instead take place away from the busy shopping areas prior to the festive period to allow their trading to continue without interruption.
Those remaining phases will then be completed after the new year.
Investing in the future
We currently spend more than £8 million a year on replacing ageing water mains which, as well as being prone to leaks, cause quality issues such as discoloured water and poor pressure for customers.
We are also proposing our largest-ever investment in water and sewerage services – around £3.5 billion – to improve the health of rivers, reduce pollution and create around 2,000 extra jobs across the region between 2025 and 2030.
That is more than double the current five-yearly spend of around £1.5 billion – subject to regulators approving our business plan.
Reordered Phase 2 programme – autumn 2024 to spring 2025
- Monday 28 October to Friday 15 November - Station Road will be closed to through traffic for three weeks from the junction in the Market Place.
- Monday 18 to Friday 29 November - Castle Lane will be closed for two weeks.
- Monday 2 to Friday 20 December - Morris Lane footway will be closed for three weeks. The scheme will then be paused for the Christmas and New Year period.
- Monday 6 January to Friday 28 February 2025 - Wine Street and High Street will be closed to through traffic for eight weeks. Pedestrian access for residents and to businesses will be maintained.
- Monday 3 to Friday 14 March 2025 - Night closure of Little Brittox for two weeks. Pedestrian access open during the day.