A sewer in the centre of Cambridge has collapsed says Anglian Water, meaning that the road will need to be closed while repairs take place.

The sewer, on St. Andrews Street, needs vital repair work after the collapse was found near the Grand Arcade shopping centre. Negotiations are currently taking place between police, fire chiefs and council officials on how to best put diversions in place while the work is carried out.

The problem was noticed after a large depression appeared in the road. The work, which is expected to take two weeks to complete, will commence on the 11th of October. However, this may be put back until the work on a different sewer problem on Mill Road is completed.

“We are sorry for any problems this repair causes and we will do our best to minimise disruption – but it has to be done.

“We will be working all hours available to repair the road.

“It could take at least two weeks but it’s difficult to know what we will find.”

Said Anglian Water spokesperson John Clare.

Roadworks are expected again on the A53 at Stockton Brook after a sewer partially collapsed. The road had recently seen a spate of roadworks while gas pipes were replaced.

The road is used by thousands of motorists every year as it is a key route between Stoke-on-Trent and Leek. To minimise disruption, Severn Trent will not commence sewer repairs until next year.
A spokesperson for Severn Trent stated:

“We’re planning to replace a five-metre stretch of partially collapsed sewer.

“We’re hoping to use two-way lights to control traffic, and if all goes according to plan, the work should take two to three weeks to complete.”

If the sewer under the road deteriorates further, it may be necessary to start the work sooner than expected. Because the pipe is over 5 metres below a gas main, large excavation equipment cannot be used and most of the work will have to be done by hand.

The roadwork will affect local businesses. The owner of a local barber shop stated:

“If it’s sewage work then I understand it is something that needs doing, but I’d like Severn Trent to consult with all the residents and businesses first, because we’re the ones who will have to put up with it.”

A Northumbrian village that sees frequent flooding is celebrating, after it was announced that it will get a sewer upgrade to alleviate the problem.

The village of Choppington will see work on the £500,000 project start in early October.

As part of the scheme, Northumbrian water will be upgrading the current sewer pipe that serves properties in Percy Gardens and Farndale Avenue. The sewer upgrade will see around 300 metres of new sewer fitted to replace the existing underperforming pipeline.

The new sewer pipe will enable storm waters to be taken away from homes so the chance of flooding is greatly reduced. Northumbrian Water’s project manager on the scheme, Paul Davison stated:

“We appreciate that flooding is distressing for customers, so reducing this risk is one of our top priorities.

“This scheme will offer the residents of Choppington some protection for the future.

Sometimes it is necessary to upgrade a sewer network if a town or village increases in size. The same can also apply at new housing developments in large cities like London. If you are concerned that your drain or sewer is underperforming, you should get in contact with a specialist drainage company who will be able to assess the problem.

Many drainage problems in your home can be solved by yourself. You just need to know why the system is blocked, so you can solve the problem.

Blocked kitchen sinks

Blocked kitchen sinks are usually caused by homeowners putting incorrect food items into the sink. Many people still don’t realise that the sink is not a waste disposal unit and food debris can build up in the pipes under your sink. Some people also pour cooking fats down their sink, which will solidify and create a clog.

Blocked kitchen sinks can sometimes be solved by pouring really hot water into the sink. If this doesn’t shift the blockage, you can try a plunger which can be bought from most DIY stores. If the blockage still exists you can then try a liquid sink unblocking product from your local supermarket.

Blocked toilets

If you have a blocked toilet, it’s important to not flush the toilet again and again to try to shift the blockage. The level of water in the toilet may rise too high and flood your bathroom. Sometimes a blockage in the ‘U’ bend can be solved quite easily by pouring bleach into the toilet and leaving it for a few minutes to break up the waste matter. Blockages in toilets are usually caused by the excessive use of toilet tissue which breaks down easily. If the blockage still exists, you can buy a toilet rodding device from your local DIY store to try to shift the blockage.

If all else fails, a drainage company will be able to remove the blockage and get your drains working again.

Many businesses rely on the correct functioning of their IT systems in order for their employees to do a full day’s work. And, to make sure that things run smoothly, they employ IT experts who are at the top of their field, to solve problems when they occur. However, it’s not just business IT systems that can fall down and cause problems to the running of your business. If you have a drainage problem on site, your business can suffer, as you may have to send all your employees home for health and safety reasons while the drainage issue is sorted out.

The above example is an extreme case, but just like IT systems need maintenance, your drainage systems need checking on a regular basis too. They might not need a permanent member of staff dedicated to them, but they cannot be left to deteriorate, as problems will soon arise.

Drain maintenance companies can provide a 24/7 drain maintenance and call out solution for businesses. They will visit your site at the first sign of a problem and will be able to inspect the drain’s condition and suggest a suitable maintenance programme, so you will not suffer any loss of business time or hence profit.