ROAD users in North Hereford are due to be hit by traffic delays as Welsh Water looks to install 7.5 kilometres of pipes over 18 months.

Work is due to start in the autumn and will start at Bewdley Bank Service Reservoir, on the A4110, before being installed in sections along the route to Holmer Road.

Welsh Water say the work is set to cost £8.5million and where possible work will be undertaken in surrounding fields, with around 40 per cent of the pipes due to be laid under roads

However, ‘traffic delays will be likely’ while Welsh Water are working on sections of the highway and traffic flow will be controlled by traffic lights.

Roads affected include Canon Pyon Road (including the junction with Roman Road), Three Elms Road, Three Elms Industrial Estate, Wordsworth Road, Yazor Road, Grandstand Road, Moor Farm Lane, Windermere Road and crossing the A49 on Holmer Road.

Some smaller roads along the route will need to be closed.

Welsh Water’s Programme Delivery Manager, Lee Pearce said: “As a company, we are committed to ensuring we provide a first class service to our customers. 

"This essential work will help us to maintain water supplies for the increase in demand and also provide capacity for future growth identified in the local development plan. 

"Our work in Hereford reflects our commitment to reinvest profits directly for the benefit of customers and the communities we serve. 

“Although we have avoided it wherever possible, it is inevitable that some sections of this work will need to be done in the highways. 

"While we are working on these sections, we will do all we can to ensure traffic is kept flowing as freely as possible, whilst protecting the safety of the public and our workforce. 

"We are working with Balfour Beatty Living Places to ensure we have the best traffic management and advanced warning signage in place.

“There should be no disruption to customers’ water supplies while we carry out this work."

Welsh Water say the work is needed to ensure security of supply for their customers and to alleviate issues with loss of supply or low water pressure currently experienced in the area.

Pinch points which Welsh Water have identified where traffic may be disrupted during the work will be at Yazor Road, on the A49 where a section will be installed by Hereford Leisure Centre and at the Monument roundabout.

The water supply to properties surrounding these areas shouldn’t be affected.

Welsh Water are sending out 80,000 letters over the next four weeks to Hereford residents informing them of the work.

Drop-in events are being held to discuss the plans at Hereford FC (August 15), Hereford Whitecross Club (August 24) and Trinity Primary School (August 31) all between 2.30pm and 7pm.

Road closure information will be displayed nearer the time on welshwater.com and Herefordshire Council’s website.

Anybody with specific queries should contact Welsh Water’s Customer Call Centre on 08000 520130 and ask for Sheena Howells or Lucy Barnett.