A YEAR-LONG series of roadworks in Worcester has hit the half way mark.

The £1 million project by Severn Trent Water and contractor Morgan Sindall to replace about five kilometres of old water pipelines in the Arboretum area of the city began in August and is on schedule to finish this summer.

Although concerns were raised when the work was announced that the necessary road closures would cause parking problems in the neighbourhood – which is often congested with parked cars – a special scheme allowing people living in the area to access their homes has won approval from residents.

A spokesman from the company said 2.2 km of pipeline had so far been installed with work currently in progress in East Street, which is hoped to be finished by the middle of February.

“This is partly due to the good working relationship we’ve had with Worcestershire Highways which has enabled us tweak our plans as we go along and things progress,” he said.

“We’d also like to say thank you to the people living nearby. Some of the side roads we’re working on can be very narrow with no off-street parking facilities.

“This has sometimes made access difficult for both us and the residents, but their patience and understanding has helped us to work safely and efficiently.”

For the latest on road closures in Worcester visit Worcestershire.gov.uk