Business upset by water works (From Stroud News and Journal)

Business upset by water works

ONGOING water works by Severn Trent are continuing to disrupt roads and businesses in and around Stroud.

The latest area to be hit is the centre of Minchinhampton, where workmen have been replacing 20 metres of pipes.

Meg Davis-Berry of Stressbusters, West End, said: "I run a therapy centre, but I can't book any therapies at the moment because of all the noise outside.

"There are diggers and pneumatic drills.

"It looks horrendous.

"The whole town is up in arms."

Debbie Smith of the Flower Studio said: "Last year foot and mouth affected all the businesses in Minchinhampton.

"This work really is a kick in the teeth."

Steve Hodgson of Severn Trent said workmen in Minchinhampton should be gone by the bank holiday weekend.

They will return during the following week to finish off at Well Hill.

Mr Hodgson said the company has a compensation package in place for anyone affected by the work.

The project has taken longer than expected, he added, because Minchinhampton's narrow streets mean digging has to be done by hand.

Severn Trent is continuing work started in the Stroud area in 2000.

The £7 million project to renew water mains had to be postponed because of the foot and mouth crisis.

* Severn Trent completed noisy work on sewers in Gloucester Street, Stroud at the end of last week. The road is now back to normal.