A section of the Wells Road, near Wookey in Somerset, has been reopened more than three days earlier than planned after Wessex Water successfully completed a phase of a £200,000 sewer repair well ahead of schedule.

The B3139 at Bleadney, between Wells and Wedmore, reopened to through traffic on Tuesday evening (October 25) after crews finished the renovations, which will help to maintain the condition of the sewers for at least another 50 years, in double-quick time.

The closure, which was diverting traffic via Cheddar and Wedmore, was due to be in place until Friday (28 October) but using modern methods, which allow the bulk of repairs to be completed without digging up long stretches of road, saw Wessex Water instead get the job done inside two days.

 The pipes were relined using specialist equipment deep underground, with robot technology also being used to complete the refurbishment. Using a small number of excavations at certain locations the team inserted a new liner inside the pipe, reducing the risk of leaks and potential sewer collapses, with the robots completing the job by working their way along the pipework to make connections.

Wessex Water project manager Dominic Gorton said: "Using 'no-dig' techniques, which allow us to replace the pipe more quickly, less intrusively and with less carbon emissions than via conventional methods, reduces disruption for nearby residents and road users. While we needed to close the road for a short space of time, we were delighted to be able to get the work done well ahead of our schedule and ensure the closure was not in place for longer than necessary.

"We're investing more than £200,000 to reline more than a kilometre of sewers at separate sites throughout the area until 3 November and we thank local residents and motorists for their patience while we complete this essential work.''