AN extensive sewer upgrade in Burnham-on-Sea has been completed in half the time originally scheduled.

Wessex Water has today (Friday, February 11) re-opened the section of the B3140 Berrow Road after the scheme to replace ageing sewer pipes.

Work started in early January, when Wessex Water cut its expected finish date to six weeks to keep to a minimum disruption to the community and tourism.

The company redrafted its plans with innovative techniques and longer working hours following concerns from residents and businesses.

A Wessex Water spokesperson said: “We’re pleased that we have been able to complete what was an extensive piece of work to prolong the life of this sewer and get this important road back open for the community and local business as quickly as possible.

“Our teams have worked long days, often under floodlights and at weekends, to complete this project and keep it to a tight schedule.

“They also had to work around a gas main on the same route and within an enclosed space due to the installation of sound barriers to reduce the effect on the surrounding area.

“A kilometre of deep-lying sewer was lined in three weeks, increasing its life by at least 50 years.

"By using new and innovative ‘no-dig’ technology, they have managed to complete work that could have taken multiple teams at least a year to finish at greater expense.

“We were conscious of the effect a longer-term project would have had on residents and businesses, already dealing with challenges of the pandemic, and we thank them and Somerset County Council’s Highways team for their co-operation and understanding, as well as their collaborative work to help ensure we could get this done prior to the school holidays.’’

As well as a diversion via East Brent in place for the course of the work, Wessex Water also provided a bus to Berrow Church of England Primary School to transport children from south of the closure, via the diversion route.

The company and council also worked closely with the owners of nearby caravan parks to ensure that scheduled arrivals of motorhomes could continue despite the road closure.

More than 20 static homes were marshalled around the road closure during the course of the project.