Two years of road delays to install new pipework

Residents face two years of delays on roads in Stoke-on-Trent after the local water supplier announced plans to install more than 24 miles of new pipe.

The scale of the work by Severn Trent, as part of the £25m project, will be conducted in stages, starting with Milton Road, Berwick Road, Birches Head Road and Fairfax Street.

The scheme is expected to be finished by April 2027.

Managers said contractors would aim to minimise disruption during the project and stated a dedicated website set up to stay in touch with customers.

The company invited affected customers to two drop-in sessions so that they could hear more about the plans and raise any concerns.

Community communications officer for Severn Trent Charlene Richards said the new modern materials would last for up to 100 years and create "a more secure network for all of our customers".

She stated: "Please be assured that we, along with our contractor partners, Pipeline Utilities and McAndrew Utilities, will do everything we can to minimise any disruption."

City councillor Adrian Knapper said the investment would improve the quality of water for local residents.

Over that two year period "there's going to be some disruption or some relative disruption to certain people", he added.

"If people are concerned about any issues they need to raise it with Severn Trent or the contractors who have ensured us they will listen to the concerns and try their best to resolve matters that occur over the two year period."

Work on the £25m project started on Tuesday, with these streets listed first:

• Milton Road, junction of Hanley Road to outside 85 Milton Road – road closure (1 April 2025 – 25 May 2025)
• Milton Road, junction of Berwick Road to outside 310 – Multi-way signals (1 April 2025 – 2 May 2025)
• Berwick Road, junction with Milton Road – Multi-way signals (1 April 2025 – 14 April 2025)
• Birches Head Road, from outside the Bridge Centre to the junction with Fairhaven Grove – rolling two way lights/multi-way signals (1 April 2025 – 23 May 2025)
• Fairfax Street, from the junction of Birches Head Road to the junction of Acton Street – road closure (1 April 2025 – 14 April 2025)

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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