“I have received confirmation from Wiltshire Council that the resurfacing works have been amended, and access for the village should not be affected on Saturday.
Unfortunately, our pipe supplier has delayed the delivery once again; however, they have assured us that the pipe will now be delivered on Monday. As soon as the pipe arrives, we will begin laying it and reinstating the excavated area so that we can move on to the next stage of the works.
While this does result in a delay to our programme, we are confident at this stage that the time can be recovered during the next couple of sections.”
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.
Charlton and Hankerton Quiz Night return on Sat 16th May, 7 for 7.30pm, Charlton Village Hall. Questions, audio and scoring are by me, Philip Carter and Peter Wyman.
It’s always an enjoyable event. Tickets £15 in advance, includes hot supper and pudding. Bar available.
I have just had a word with the officer who coordinates roadworks across the county. He apologises for the disruption for Hankerton residents which will be caused by the Council’s work.
However he says that the surface dressing on the Murcott Road is only going to take ONE day between 9am and 3pm on the 28th April.
I asked whether we could have it rescheduled but Wessex Water’s works are running to end August so extend for the whole ‘surface dressing’ season – ie if we postponed now, it would not get done this year. Also it is a contractor from outside Wiltshire who is doing the surface dressing and comes in to do about 30/40 sites and then moves on elsewhere – so their schedule is not flexible. The Crudwell to Eastcourt road will be done the following day (29th). Surface dressing involves a bit of prep and putting down some bitumen across the road and then loose chippings on top (They return a while later to spray the surface with more bitumen)
He promises that Wiltshire Council Highways are in contact with Wessex Water on this.
I have asked that they coordinate to sort out the most sensible diversionary routes for the 28th or give me a contact at WW.
I appreciate this is still not ideal but at least this gives a clearer picture of the length of the worst disruption 🤷♀️and I hope it helps
Feel free to send any further questions and I will try to get an answer.
There are now 2 sets of roadworks to think about. The Wessex Water works from Cloatley Road towards Crudwell finishing at the Eastcourt turning and the road resurfacing from that turning through towards Crudwell.
Wessex Water From Wessex Water : “We would like to provide residents with an update on the road closure and outline what can be expected over the next few weeks.
The road closure was implemented on Monday and we hope it is now operating smoothly, with all diversions, signage, and traffic management measures fully in place.
This week we have been able to remain flexible with access arrangements, as we have been carrying out trial holes in preparation for the main excavation works, which will begin shortly.
The first section of the replacement works will run from the junction of Cloatley Road up to the Follyfield Estate junction. This section will be fully closed to all through traffic. Residents and properties located within this section are asked to access and exit their properties via Murcott Road, as access from the Charlton end of the scheme will be completely closed.
Physical barriers will be installed to prevent unauthorised access. Any attempt to drive through or over these barriers could result in serious and potentially irreparable damage to vehicles. We therefore strongly encourage everyone to follow the signed diversion routes and not attempt to drive through the closed section. These measures are essential to ensure the safety of our workforce, road users, and local residents. All properties within this section will continue to have access from the Murcott end.
Our first planned night-time water mains shutdown is scheduled for Tuesday 21st, beginning at 11:00 pm. During this time, we will be using a tanker infusion method to maintain a full water supply to all but one resident while we complete the initial connection to the existing water main. There will be some noise disturbance during these works, but we will do everything possible to keep disruption to an absolute minimum.
We would like to thank all residents for their patience and understanding while we carry out this essential project.”
Resurfacing Work At Murcott Key points: Tuesday 28th – Thursday 30th April
Hankerton residents north of the water main replacement work, who need to exit the village north and westwards, on those dates/timings will need to turn right at the junction up to Eastcourt and left in Eastcourt to Crudwell (and vice versa on return).
Murcott Lane closed Tue 28-Thu 30 Apr, 0930-1500, for surface dressing etc. There’s a long email from the council about this that I’ll happily forward to anyone with insomnia but Michael has summed up the main points very well above.
I asked Wessex Water about this and here is their reply : “This is all in hand with Wiltshire council. Our diversion will change to accommodate the works but yes that will be the access for residents. Unfortunately we only found about this a few weeks ago and will not be able to open the road back up as we will be in the middle of excavating so it just wouldn’t be safe.
I spoke to Wiltshire council and they have informed me it will be 28-29th April not 3-5 days.
There are further works planned for Murcott a few weeks later but I am still getting confirmation .
Will update you early next week once I know more . “
I asked the Design Engineer (Jamie Prangle) for some background information and he’s been really helpful ! Here’s some of his comments :
“Excavation works will begin tomorrow, starting with two days of trial holes along the replacement route. After this, we will move down to the verge adjacent to Cloatley Road to begin excavations in preparation for the initial connection onto the existing water main.”
“Regarding the duration question, I completely understand why people are asking as it does sound like a long time to complete 1.2km of replacement. Due to the number of existing utilities already within the verges and highway—and the fact that we cannot downsize the existing water main—we’ve been left with very limited options. As a result, we’ve had to use a more traditional open‑cut trenching method instead of the trenchless technologies we normally try to utilise to reduce cost and programme duration.
We are using directional drilling to install the new main under the river, but unfortunately that is the only section of the scheme where this technique is suitable.
In terms of the overall scheme duration, it’s not just the pipe‑laying that takes time. The strict testing and chlorination procedures, reinstatement works, service transfers, and planned shutdowns all contribute significantly to the length of the programme.“
Since the Hankerton Art Group was formed at Craig McCallum’s suggestion 11 years ago, we have occasionally held an exhibition of our work, for the interest of others who hopefully enjoy what they see.
It is also a way of bringing to peoples’ notice the existence of the group, so that those of an artistic bent can possibly consider joining the group, which meets once a fortnight, and enjoy some sociable company and two hours of productive and perhaps satisfying art time.
No particular experience needed, just enthusiasm for the subject, in whatever medium they choose. Speak to any member of the group if interested.
Hankerton Village 