Major drainage scheme underway in Porchfield

Posted on: June 22, 2019 at 4:19 am
Drainage work at Bunts Hill

Work is underway to improve the drainage and surface of the main road through Porchfield.

Island Roads has begun the scheme to improve the 1.5 kilometre stretch of Bunts Hill from Whitehouse Cross to New Road.

 

The first phase of the project is to replace and reconnect the gulley system in the middle section of the stretch. This will enable surface water to drain away from the carriageway far more effectively.

 

When this drainage work is complete then the entire length will be resurfaced with some re-profiling also undertaken. It is envisaged that this work will begin around June 10 and be completed by July 1.

 

While the drainage phase is ongoing, the road will be closed to through traffic but residents will be able to access their homes. Pedestrian access will remain.

 

It is likely that a full road closure will be put in place during resurfacing work but this will be undertaken in phases to reduce the impact on residents.

 

Residents have received letters explaining details of the work and Island Roads will be visiting the area with its Mobile Visitor Centre to further discuss the scheme with those affected.

Project manager Derek Benfield said that, once again, Island Roads would like to apologise in advance for any disruption caused by the scheme.

 

“I hope that residents will appreciate that by undertaking the drainage work as well as the resurfacing we will not only greatly improve the quality of the road but also address the underlying problem with surface water that has historically made Bunts Hill so susceptible to potholes forming in the first place,” he said.

 

“The result will be a greatly improved road surface which I know will be appreciated by all those who use this stretch including a great many cyclists.”