A £110,000 programme of improvements to Pershore's sewer system is set to bring traffic chaos to the town centre.

From Monday (June 10), traffic lights will be in place on the town's High Street for four weeks while work is carried out to strengthen the surface water sewer network.

The work has met with criticisms from traders who believe it will disrupt business. Secretary to Pershore's Chamber of Trade, Val Wood, said: "This is a total lack of communication between the County Council, Severn Trent and the Chamber of Trade, but we will keep the town alive and kicking in spite of Severn Trent and the County Council."

Worcestershire County Council press officer Lee Shrimpton, said: "We've been advised there's a public danger and work needs to be carried out as soon as possible."

A total of 148 metres of ageing pipe is to be improved. Twenty-eight metres of pipe will be replaced and 120 metres of pipe will be fitted with new lining. The work is expected to be completed by Friday, July 5.

Larry Barnes, Severn Trent Water's network field service manager, said: "The existing sewer is probably over 100 years old and has basically come to the end of its life.

"Some sections have also been damaged by tree roots breaking into the pipe. This is why we need to carry out the improvement work."

Mr Barnes said there might be some disruption but the company was liaising with Worcestershire County Council to keep it to a minimum.

He added: "We have also been working closely with the local authority to ensure that the work ties in with the road resurfacing programme planned for later on in the year."

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