Severn Trent’s watermain renewall program continues to work its way through the Short Heath area.

This week saw the work move on to Dovedale Avenue and Short Heath Lib Dem Councillor Dan Barker and Lib Dem Neighbourhoods spokesman Councillor Ian Shires paid an early morning visit to the area to see for themselves the impact it is having.

Contractors working for Severn Trent had carried out an extensive public relations exercise prior to moving into the area and to be fair it was evident that given the amount of work being done they were trying their best to reduce disruption for the residents down to a minimum.

Dan and Ian have spoken with the contractors on site to press home the need to keep residents up to date with progress and have set up a system whereby we as councillors can be kept in the loop so that we can help keep people updated.

This work is essential as much of the watermain system in the area is out of date. “The problem is that there is a great deal of work involved” said Dan “and even if all goes to plan it will be well into the early part of next year before it is all completed. What would really help would be for motorists who don’t have to be in the area to avoid it and find an alternative route to wherever they want to go. That way disruption to local residents can be kept to a minimum.”