23 July 2009
Carlisle's Warwick Road is to be closed to traffic for up to six weeks to allow major sewer work to take place.
On Monday July 27, Warwick Road will be reduced to one lane at Victoria Place. This will be followed on August 4, by the full temporary closure of the road between the junctions of Broad Street and Greystone Road.
Engineers working for United Utilities have agreed the closure with highways officials to maintain safety for drivers, pedestrians and workmen during the installation of huge new sewer pipes across Warwick Road.
The new pipes are part of a huge scheme to alleviate the risk of flooding in the city.
The closure will be in place for up to six weeks. Diversions via Eastern Way, London Road, Botchergate, Lowther Street, Lonsdale Street and Spencer Street will be signposted.
To help ease traffic flows while the diversion is in place, there will be no access onto Victoria Place from Georgian Way. There will also be no access onto Eastern Way from Carliol Drive.
Current sewer work on Greystone Road will be suspended for the duration of the closure of Warwick Road.
Project liaison engineer Caroline Brumwell said the decision to close Warwick Road had been very carefully considered.
"If there had been any way of laying pipes across Warwick Road without closing it we would have done it. However for safety reasons it has become clear we have no choice. These pipes are 1.2m diameter and have to be laid several metres below the road surface. Fortunately by timing the closure to coincide with the school holidays we are hoping to minimise the effect on traffic."
Access to businesses along Victoria Place is being maintained and United Utilities staff are keeping in touch with local traders.
For the latest information about United Utilities' scheme in Carlisle log on to the website www.unitedutilities.com/carlisle
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