Severn Trent work is on hold for Christmas
Severn Trent Water is suspending work and reopening roads across Shropshire and Powys over Christmas.
Work has already been suspended in the village of Llanrhaeadr where residents and visitors have faced long detours.
And Severn Trent said work in Bridgnorth and Market Drayton will be temporarily cleared over the Christmas and New Year break.
The company is investing millions of pounds across Shropshire to renew ageing water pipes and make water supplies more secure, with less risk of leaks and bursts.
Severn Trent Water programme engineer Dave Kiernan said: "We understand that this essential work will cause some disruption to the local area and we wanted to let our customers enjoy the festive period without having to deal with roadworks and traffic jams.
"So we've taken the decision to either suspend work or work differently to make sure we can open up the roads in time for Christmas.
"In Llanrhaeadr, where we are replacing 700 metres of water supply pipes, all work areas will be cleared by this weekend. The road closure has now been lifted, full access has been restored to the area and traffic to the Market Square can now travel to and from both Llangedwyn and Peny Bont Fawr directions.
Work on the renewal of the water mains in the village will re-start from Monday, January 6, near to the Plough Inn. Access for businesses in Market Square at this time will be available using the signed diversion route.
"In Bridgnorth, we're spending over £400,000 to renew around three kilometres of water pipes. In the Innage Lane area, work around the estate will also be cleared over the weekend. We plan to return after Christmas to re-start work in The Hookfield. Further work will also take place towards the middle of January on Queensway Drive for about 2 to 3 weeks, using a road closure. Alternative access will be available using the signed diversion route.
"Finally, in Market Drayton, we have renewed around three kilometres of ageing water pipes in parts of the A41 in the High Heath and Hinstock area. We plan to have work temporarily cleared from the A41 during the Christmas period, and again, we'll restart from early January 2014."
