United Utilities update on Martholme to Ramsgreave pipeline

Following a meeting with United Utilities Wednesday May 19th, a number of facts and dates have now been confirmed.

The pipeline works are due to start around the end of June at the Martholme treatment works, progressing towards Warwick Avenue by around the 22nd July. This first section of pipeline is away from the road networks and as such should not adversely affect the local traffic, however there are likely to be increased movements of HGVs bringing in materials etc.

The majority of disruption will be in the Sparth / Whalley Road areas of Clayton-le-Moors but as requested the bulk of the necessary road closures and diversionary routes will take place during the local school holidays to minimise the impact on local residents and through traffic.

The following information is subject to ratification by LCC Highways Department at a meeting to be held early next week and may be subject to minor alterations. As the work does not involve tying into local services it is anticipated that the work will be carried out on a rolling program to be completed as work progresses to minimise the effect on residents. United Utilities have said that where possible the road closures will be confined to short stretches with traffic management (traffic light controls and stop/go boards) where full closure is required this will be kept to an absolute minimum in terms of distance and duration.

Bearing the above in mind United Utilities have given assurances that:

• UU will be carrying out a letter drop to inform local residents (along the route of the pipeline) that there will be a mobile unit located in Mercer Park on the 12th of June where additional information of road closures and the route details will be made available and United Utilities staff will be on hand to answer questions.

• The pipeline will not be going through Mercer Park, but will be under the carriageway of Rishton Road from the Forts Arms roundabout, through to the fields beyond Rishton Road.

• The works (weather permitting) through the built up areas of Clayton-le-Moors from Warwick Avenue to the end of Rishton Road should be completed by the 15th August.

• All residents directly affected by road closures (outside their properties) will be notified in advance of works commencing on their stretch of road by letter drop.

• All works along Rishton Road affecting those properties on Charles St, the estate beyond, and vehicle access to Mercer Park (where there is no alternative access) will be carried out in short sections with traffic controls to maintain access at all times.

United utilities have provided a hard copy of the proposed road closures which affect the roads in Clayton-le-Moors, however these are provisional, and dependent on LCC highways approval. The traffic management information provided does not give a time frame for the works other than previously indicated (works to start at Altham late June/early July and all of the works in Clayton-le-Moors to be completed by mid August).