'Nightmare' road closure reopens three weeks early

A village road in Cambridgeshire that closed on 6 January for essential works and pipe upgrades has reopened three weeks ahead of schedule.

The B1049 Twenty Pence Road in Wilburton, near Ely, was closed by Anglian Water, which expected it to be shut until March "to keep everyone safe" and because of the "size of the area and the machinery involved".

On Friday, the water company said the works, including 2.6km (1.6 miles) of pipeline on Twenty Pence Road and the replacement of a leaking water meter in the road, were finished and the road had reopened.

Previously, businesses in the area said the road closure was having a "damaging effect" on livelihoods, while road users called it a "nightmare".

The firm said it had worked with Cambridgeshire County Council to agree the closure, diversion routes and signage.

Last month, concrete blocks had to be put across the road after Anglian Water said drivers flouted a closure and its workers were subjected to abuse.

An Anglian Water spokesperson said: "To keep everyone safe, we have needed to close the road while we work.

"This is the only safe option under the Street Works Act because of the size of the working area and the machinery involved."

The water provider said this work is part of a £348m investment programme to improve water pipes across the East of England and help reduce leaks, bursts and service interruptions.

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