The giant liner that was placed inside the sewer before it was heated and hardened to strengthen the whole structure in Station Square, Lowestoft.

UPDATE: Disruption likely as controversial Lowestoft roadworks set to continue this weekend

By Anthony Carroll Saturday, February 11, 2012
2:15 PM

THE controversial roadworks that have caused major traffic problems and prompted council anger in Lowestoft are set to continue this weekend..

The Anglian Water works to make essential repairs to a damaged sewer in Station Square were due to be completed by yesterday (Friday).

However, despite a pledge from the company that traffic control measures should be cleared by yesterday morning, problems have arose meaning that the works will “continue over the weekend.”

For the last three weeks, motorists have suffered long tailbacks as a result of the work, which has left some drivers facing a diversion of up to a mile.

And now more delays are likely this weekend.

Anglian Water spokesman, Antony Innes, said: “We have been working hard this week, in difficult conditions, to finish the last part of the emergency sewer repair project in Station Square, Lowestoft.

“Around 60 metres of sewer has been relined to improve its strength and durability, reducing the chances of a future collapse or blockage.

“Unfortunately, a small section of this relining has not worked as it should, meaning work will need to continue over the weekend to rectify the problem,” Mr Innes said.

“We are very sorry that this has delayed the conclusion of this project and will cause further disruption to residents and businesses over the weekend.

“Throughout this project we have been working hard to make sure repairs are completed as soon as possible. However, with such a complex job and in such bad weather there is always a chance of unexpected delays,” he added.

“Work remains ahead of schedule but we appreciate people may be frustrated it is taking longer than we thought it would a few days ago. “We share that frustration but will be working throughout the weekend to complete the job.”

The company also apologised for a blunder last week that led to it announcing the roadworks would be cleared between last Friday night and Tuesday in preparation for the final stage of the sewer repairs.

The “miscommunication” followed an earlier oversight by the region’s biggest water company which forgot to notify Waveney District Council about the work.

Anglian Water’s failure to contact the council gave the authority no time to prepare for the disruption caused by the work which has been blamed for traffic gridlock and a fall in takings at some town centre stores which claim people have been put off coming into Lowestoft to shop.

The final stages of the work on Thursday saw a protective “sock-like membrane” being fed into a 60m section of sewer before it was heated to cause it to set rock-hard.

Mr Innes said: “Anglian Water and contractors May Gurney have been working since late January to repair a collapsed section of sewer some 5m below the road surface.

“The last stage of this project is to coat the inside of almost 60m of sewer with a new lining to improve more of the sewers in Lowestoft.

“We will access the sewers via manholes, so that we don’t need to dig up the road. You could say this is keyhole surgery for sewers.

“A sock-like membrane will be fed into the sewer, before it is heated to set it rock-hard. This new lining coats the inside of the pipe, significantly reducing the chances of further collapses and blockages.”

As previously reported, Stephen Baker, the chief executive of Waveney District Council, sent a strongly-worded letter to Anglian Water asking why the council had not been formally told about the work, which was initially earmarked to last five weeks.

He was incensed after finding out about the repairs and resulting diversion after reading details in The Journal.

Lowestoft mayor Tod Sullivan and Waveney MP Peter Aldous also voiced their concerns over Anglian Water’s lack of communication, and businesses including Palmers and Godfreys said it had led to a loss in trade.

However, locals say the traffic problems were not solely down to the sewer repairs and, once again, it highlighted the need for a third crossing to relieve congestion in the town centre.

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9 comments

Really glad I don't have to commute into Lowestoft anymore not been over the Bridge for 2 years now and I don't intend to during the next 5-10.

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Colin James Watling

Friday, February 17, 2012
Lowestoft won't get a 3rd Crossing on the account that it is 'just far too simple' from what I know about the basule Bridge it is around 40 years old and 20 years past its sell by date-so the way I see it no one has the courage and guts to do anything to it or interfer because once there is a bad accident there or the thing collapses killing scores of people-no one will have to take the flak for it because no-one would have to accept responsability. May have to come to a disaster though for improvements to come about-very messy-shame to see Lowestoft the once beautiful Town by the Coast decaying in line with the rest of of the Country and goinggone to the dogs.

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Colin James Watling

Monday, February 13, 2012
Lowestoft won't get a 3rd Crossing on the account that it is 'just far too simple' from what I know about the basule Bridge it is around 40 years old and 20 years past its sell by date-so the way I see it no one has the courage and guts to do anything to it or interfer because once there is a bad accident there or the thing collapses killing scores of people-no one will have to take the flak for it because no-one would have to accept responsability. May have to come to a disaster though for improvements to come about-very messy-shame to see Lowestoft the once beautiful Town by the Coast decaying in line with the rest of of the Country and goinggone to the dogs.

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Colin James Watling

Monday, February 13, 2012
Ater the month and months of chaos the Sunrise Scheme caused this is a doddle.WDC are to businesses in the town what global warming is to a polar bear,they've caused more shops and firms to leave the town than Anglia Waters hole digging ever will.In fact without WDC causing so many to move out there would be more traffic coming into the town so they've done everyone a favour.

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kevin bacon

Sunday, February 12, 2012
There's not enough cost benefit to justify building a third road crossing. Plus it wouldn't cure the towns congestion either. Making less short car journeys would help more.

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Tea&Biscuits

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Getting stuck at the Bascule Bridge is a regular occurrence. Waveney Council want to build a third river crossing and other plans include a cycle and footbridge over Lake Lothing. In 2009 the cost of a second bascule bridge over Lake Lothing with a second bridge over the railway was estimated to be £38million. Will money be available for this road crossing AND a much smaller and cheaper cycle and footbridge?

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Capri

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Great JOY

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kettle1

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Blame the disruption on a lack of a third crossing and the old town infrastruction. The latest plans for Lowestoft, released recently by WDC, still do not include any sign of a possible third crossing. Without this the town is doomed. However, there seems plenty of money for two footcycle bridges-the second one is shown in the latest plans for Lowestoft and Oulton Broad.

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Port Watcher

Saturday, February 11, 2012
Anglian Water + Waveney DC + winter weather = "curtains" for some Lowestoft retailers.

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T Doff

Saturday, February 11, 2012