Water works bring diversions to A6

DIVERSIONS will be in place around the A6 for the next two weekends as water engineers upgrade one of Stockport’s large water mains.

United Utilities’ work on Bramhall Lane began ‘after rush hour’ on Friday and were lifted ‘before 6am’ on Monday, – and will then also carry out works for the following two weekends.

Although traffic on the A6 and vehicles joining the A6 from Bramhall

Lane will not be affected, motorists approaching the junction from Bramhall Lane or Higher Hillgate will not be able to go straight across.

Instead, a diversion will be in place.

“Improving the huge water pipe under the A6 will safeguard water supplies for thousands of people in south Manchester for decades to come. In the long term, it will mean fewer water bursts which will be good news for drivers and local people,” project manager John Harrison said.

“Being such a major route, reducing the impact on A6 traffic is one of our top priorities.

“We are working closely with Stockport Council and Transport for Greater Manchester and using a technique which keeps digging to a minimum and working extended hours where we can.”

The £4.8million scheme will see a tough new lining installed into more than 4.5km of iron pipes under the A6, and some adjoining streets.

The works began on April 6.

The Bramhall Lane phase is just the second of five in the project’s schedule, with engineers moving southward as time progresses.

United Utilities says it hopes to finish the upgrades in October.