Exclusive by Alan Quick

SOUTH West Water says the £320,000 scheme to carry out essential repairs to the sewer system in Crediton, which has resulted in a partial closure to traffic in Crediton High Street, is progressing well and on schedule.

Work began on Monday, January 25 and is due to be completed by the contractors, R and M Utilities, on Sunday, February 21.

When the works began there were teething problems with traffic congestion on diverted routes and some shopkeepers and businesses have reported some loss of trade.

However, the public have been really supporting the traders, shopping locally and making a specific effort to support them.

There is free parking for one hour in the St Saviour’s Way car park and some on-street parking, which many are taking advantage of in Crediton High Street.

Many motorists are also pleased that there are no traffic civil enforcement officers in the town for the duration of the works.

Speaking exclusively to the “Courier”, Becky Moran, SWW communications officer, said as of February 1, two new manhole chambers are currently being constructed on the existing foul sewer main and that both of these constructions are approximately 4.5 metres in depth.

She said another excavation to repair an isolated collapsed lateral connection opposite the nursery has now been completed but added that due to the number of other utility services in this location this deep shaft was excavated by hand to a depth of 3.8 metres.

She was pleased to report that 12 isolated sections of sewer have been successfully lined and that in four locations originally marked for excavation works, SWW have been able to use the latest “no dig” technology to undertake the repairs.

Becky added that these methods included the use of robotic cutting equipment.

She explained: “Using the latest hydro robotic equipment we have successfully removed 116 metres of grout/concrete from within the main sewer system. This section will be lined towards the end of this week.

“Using high pressure jetting units approximately 200 metres of sewer have been descaled and, to date, some 422 tons of material have been excavated and removed from site.

“More than 1,536 man hours have gone in to the project with site operations continuing through the weekends to completion.”

Becky added that deliveries of Tarmac were to take place this week to close off two of the main excavation areas.

She emphasised that access to the High Street was being enabled for all deliveries for anyone with a business in the High Street and customers who cannot manage to walk up the hill to the free parking it has provided at St Saviour’s Way car park.”

Peter Chapman, SWW customer support and operations liaison manager, was full of praise for the contractors and said the fact that the works were on target was due to the concerted efforts of the contractors, R and M Utilities, and he expressed thanks for their hard work.