WORKERS at a multi million-pound regeneration project in Salisbury have been surprised to find utility pipes in unexpected places.
A number of uncharted and shallow utilities have been discovered during improvement work on the Fisherton Gateway scheme – but the work has not yet been delayed.
Works include widening pavements, enhancing landscaping, improving street furniture and wayfinding, and introducing continuous footpaths at junctions to reinforce pedestrian priority.
The £3.2 million investment forms part of £9 million funding from the government’s Future High Streets Fund.
However, the surprise utilities have been uncovered during the removal of existing paving slabs and excavation works between Summerlock Approach heading to South Western Road and previously between Malthouse Lane and Summerlock Approach.
The Fisherton Gateway project aims to rejuvenate the Salisbury route
Cllr Caroline Thomas, Wiltshire Council’s cabinet member for transport, said: “Utilities are underground gas, electric, telephone and water supplies.
“Our contractor, Milestone, is ensuring all digging is carried out safely and if utilities are discovered where they shouldn’t be, they immediately identify and contact the owner of the services for assistance.
“Some of the pipes found are uncharted and others are shallow, but both are causing us issues.”
She said once the owner has visited the site and completed an inspection, they can confirm whether the utility service is ‘live’ and it is either removed, or relaid at the required depth.
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“All this takes time, but the contractor has been able to carry on with other parts of the work while waiting for plans for certain services to be finalised,” Cllr Thomas added.
“One of our key priorities is to have vibrant, well-connected communities and whilst uncharted and shallow utilities are frustrating, the scheme is still progressing, albeit at a slower pace.
“If we continue to encounter further utility challenges, then this could impact on the completion of the scheme which is currently scheduled for summer 2024, but we are not at that stage yet.”
The ground is filled with old services and will continue if no one removes those that they have replaced, its not rocket science