CREDITON High Street has reopened to traffic - nine days ahead of schedule.

The road has been closed since Monday January, 25 as South West Water was carrying out a £320,000 scheme to improve Crediton’s sewer network.

It was due to reopen on Sunday, February 21, but opened just after midday on Friday. 

South West Water project manager James Howourth, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to complete this essential work earlier than planned.

“I have nothing but praise for our partners, R&M Utilities, who have worked tirelessly – in sometimes atrocious weather – to ensure they got the job done and the road reopened as soon as possible.”

Yellow diversion signs on major roads including the A30 are being replaced with signs to advise motorists the road is reopen.

During the scheme:

• Two new manhole chambers were constructed on the existing foul sewer main. Both of these constructions were approximately 4.5 metres deep.

• An isolated collapsed lateral connection opposite the nursery was repaired. Due to the number of other utility services in this location this deep shaft was excavated by hand to a depth of 3.8 metres.

• In four locations originally marked for excavation works, the latest ‘no dig’ technology was used to undertake the repairs. These methods included the use of robotic cutting equipment.

• A faulty interceptor, underneath the pavement outside two of the businesses, has been removed. This will prevent future blockages and odours.

• An old 15-metre drain rod lodged in one of the main sections of sewer – which was holding back flows and causing blockages – was removed using robotic ‘no dig’ technology. This meant we did not have to dig up the pavement.

• Four intruding lateral connections which were holding back flows and causing blockages have been removed using underground robotic cutting equipment.

• 15 metres of sewer crossing the main road opposite East Street, originally earmarked for ‘open cut’ excavation, have been refurbished using slip lining and grouting techniques.

• 28 isolated sections of sewer have been lined.

• Using the latest hydro robotic equipment, 116 metres of grout/concrete was removed from within the main sewer system and a structural liner installed.

• Using high pressure jetting units approximately 420 metres of sewer have been descaled.

• 566 tons of material have been excavated and removed from site.

• 2,672 man hours have gone into the project, with staff working over the weekends.

• The two main excavation areas within the road closure have been reinstated.

• Free parking at St Saviour’s Way car park was provided by South West Water during the road closure.

James added: “We’d like to thank those who continued to support and promote the town’s traders and helped reinforce the message that Crediton is open for business during the project.”