Michael has received a message from the engineer at Wiltshire Council. This is about the Murcott work which was planned for this weekend. It’s not the Wessex Water work. I think we should probably thank Elizabeth Threlfall for helping with this one !
“Good Afternoon All, Due to clashes with utility works in the area, these works have now been cancelled.
The contractor will attend site within the next week to reinstate road markings – however this will be carried out under localised TM, without the need for a road closure. This will not affect accidents for residents.
Kind Regards Jon”
So hopefully the properties between Cloatley Rd and the Eastcourt Rd won’t have the 3 day ? / 1 day ? / 2 hour ? access problem that seemed likely earlier this week.
I’m hoping the engineer has an over helpful spell checker…. but if not, and if anyone is planning to have an accident it seems you’re good to go !
In terms of the Wessex Water work I’m hoping that there’ll be access in both directions over this weekend but I think that will depend on how far they get today. There’s a chance that they’ll have concrete curing on the road south from Follyfield towards Charlton.
Wessex Water have explained that the engineer we’ve been dealing with (Jamie) is moving on at the end of the week. He’s been really helpful ! But, don’t worry, there’s a replacement (Dan) that is taking over.
Wessex have a regular progress meeting on a Monday and they’ll then issue us (Michael – Parish Council Clerk and myself) a copy of the report. I’ll pass that on via the website and WhatsApp so that everyone can see what’s going on. It may well be the Tuesday before I can do that – just so you’re aware.
Wessex Water have also mentioned that various people at Wessex have been getting direct calls from people in the village and have asked us all to please not do that and also not to share direct contact details but, more importantly, to please raise any issues, complaints, enquiries etc. through the main help desk. The number for this is : 0345 600 4600 This then helps them refer the issue to the correct person and make sure it is resolved properly. It also lets the engineers get on with what they’re good at – engineering !
Elizabeth Threlfall has been dealing with Wiltshire Council about the resurfacing work that’s scheduled for the Murcott Rd this weekend… It’s expected to happen on Saturday, it only takes half an hour, and they’ll stop before the Eastcourt turning so that a diversion will still be in place.
Hopefully, exit from Follyfield will still be possible by turning left anyway…. but that’s just my guess not a Wessex Water promise !
I’ve been in touch with the Design Engineer at Wessex water to get an update. He’s been really helpful. Here’s where things are (his words in blue italics) !
Resurfacing works There were some access issues when Murcott Road was being resurfaced recently. Unfortunately, this was outside of our control; however, I have been in contact with Wiltshire Council to ensure this does not happen again when the resurfacing works are completed in May. I am currently awaiting their response on how this will be managed, and I will provide a further update as soon as clarification is received
Works Update The team has now completed approximately 170 metres of open‑cut excavation, stopping at Follyfield due to access restrictions over the Bank Holiday weekend. Following the Bank Holiday, works will resume on Tuesday, with a 30‑metre open‑cut section progressing across Folly Field. During this time: – Access for residents will be maintained using road plates while the junction is excavated. – Residents will continue to use Murcott Road to access and exit the village.
Pipe delivery is scheduled for Thursday 7 May. Once delivered, the pipe will be installed within the excavated trench, followed by reinstatement works as outlined below: Concrete reinstatement – expected to take one day The surface will then be left over the weekend to allow curing Tarmac reinstatement will be completed on the following Monday
Once this section has been fully reinstated and reopened, the team will continue open‑cut excavation from Follyfield, progressing approximately 100 metres towards the river.
I asked Jamie a few more questions and he gave me some additional information :
It’s likely we will work in approximately 200m sections for the majority of the phases of replacement , however as we are coming up to the river where a directional drill is required it’s likely we will cut the next section down to 100 m to accommodate this.
Once we have the current section that is open reinstated we will have a better idea of what kind of length we will be required.
More to follow as soon as I know more.
Again, we would like to thank the residents for their patience while we complete the work
I’ve also asked Elizabeth (councillor) for a contact at Wiltshire County Council so that I can ask them if they have any other plans in the pipeline. My thinking being that once the Wessex Water work moves on, if the Council decides to resurface the road to Charlton then the only access to the village would be Cloatley Road – far from ideal. I’ll pass on anything I find out.
Finally…I did some simple arithmetic and with a little help from Google maps I’ve worked out that if they’re doing the work in roughly 7 stages plus drilling under the brook then they’ll need to complete each stage in about two and a half weeks if they’re going to hit their 5 month estimate. One to watch I think !
I hope everyone finds this helpful ! Hopefully, if we all know what’s likely to happen then it all gets a little easier.
Hankerton Village 