Grand Bouet to shut for five weeks from Tuesday

The utility carried out investigations earlier this year, which confirmed the 780mm diameter sewer was in a poor condition.

This was followed by a road closure of just over three weeks, while works were carried out to install a new three-metre-deep manhole in order to provide access for the lining work to take place.

Guernsey Water’s capital delivery manager Mark Walker said the work was important.

‘The lining works will be carried out in three sections, each measuring a length of 100m to 150m,’ he said.

‘Each section will need to be cleaned before the connections are checked by a robotic unit, the liner inserted, cured in place and finally the original connections are recut by the same robotic unit.

‘This work is specialised and requires the sourcing and hire of both specialist equipment and contractors. Despite this, lining represents substantial cost savings and minimal disruption to islanders when compared to the works required for a full sewer replacement.’

The closure will coincide with the demolition of nearby Sydney Vane House at Admiral Park, which is resulting in the Elizabeth Avenue being made temporarily one-way. The avenue is a private road and outside the control of Traffic & Highways, which co-ordinates road closures.

Mr Walker said the work needed to be undertaken now.

‘As a combined sewer, taking both sewage and storm water flows, the lining work requires dry conditions in order to proceed,’ Mr Walker said.

‘This, together with the advanced booking of equipment and contractors, has resulted in the closure being scheduled to take place in the drier months.’

The road is set to close on Tuesday and stay shut until Friday 4 October. Bus routes 31, 32, 51 and 52 will be affected.

Access to pet shop Creature Comforts is expected to be from the traffic lights end, by Beeton’s chip shop.