A VITAL £250,000 scheme to improve Okehampton's sewer network, has this week sparked concern among businesses in the town.

South West Water is set to refurbish 4,000 metres of sewer, which serve around 3,500 residents in the Okehampton area.

The scheme is part of a £42-million, five-year investment in the sewer network across the region, to renovate public sewers which have been identified as being at risk of collapse.

The work has been planned with Devon County Council to take place during the school holidays, and will enable Mill Street to be used as a diversion route without the additional traffic to Okehampton College.

Chairman of Okehampton Chamber of Trade, Ian Bailey, said the work has come at a bad time.

He said: 'I have spoken with South West Water and they have told me the sewers in Fore Street are in imminent danger of collapse.

'Although I realise their need to repair and scale the pipes, I know how many businesses have suffered over the past year, due not only to the recession, but the roadwork's caused by the traffic lights.

'Now there's this proposed interruption to business — when most businesses would hope to be attracting visitors to town.

'I understand South West Water's thinking, but they have to understand that we have a fragile economy and closing Fore Street at one of the potentially busiest times of year is unacceptable.'

Project manager for South West Water, Stephen Cross, said the location of some sewers meant the company would have to close some of the roads in the area for health and safety reasons.

He said: 'We will be lining or replacing damaged sewers in Okehampton.

'Without this necessary investment, the sewer network will continue to deteriorate and this could lead to collapses — which cause pollution, flooding and odour.'

Mr Cross said all businesses, schools, hospitals and care homes affected will be visited by a customer liaison officer before the work is started, and that all emergency services and other service providers had been informed.

He added: 'We will be working hard to minimise disruption to the public and businesses as far as possible while completing these essential works.' 

Contractors will also use no-dig techniques wherever possible to minimise disruption to residents, businesses and traffic.

Kay Bickley, owner of Upcott House Bed and Breakfast and Okehampton Town Council member, said: 'It's good that people will be notified of the closure, but in the tourist trade, a lot of people use Okehampton as a stopping off point en route to Cornwall.

'If they are warned of the closure they may avoid Okehampton and carry on to other places.

'As locals we will seek to avoid the centre and find alternative ways in and around the town based on our past experiences.

'But it will affect the town, and that in turn has a knock-on affect on all the industries associated with tourism, including, accommodation and food and drink establishments.

'Add that onto the recession and the timing is not good.

'They could have done this in the winter period.'

West Devon Borough councillor and Devon County councillor, Christine Marsh, said she felt communication was the key.

She said: 'I think there could be better co-ordination with this — they need to find out the best time to do these things.

'I know it has to be done, but it's a big failing on all utility companies and local authorities because they do not talk to one another.

'The utilities need to work out their programmes better, especially at the moment when everyone is struggling — we need to assist and help them all we can.'

Work is due to start in Okehampton on Sunday, July 11 and is scheduled to be completed within eight weeks, finishing by the end of August.

The following roads will be closed and diversion routes will be in place on:

l North Street from Monday, July 19 to Friday, July 23

l George Street from Monday, July 26 to Saturday, July 31

l Mill Road from Sunday, August 1

l Fore Street and East Street from Sunday, August 15 to Sunday, August 22.

The work will not affect the Okehampton Show on Thursday, August 12.

Residents are advised to check the South West Water website for any changed times.

More information, including a timetable of work, can be found at http://www.southwestwater.co.uk/okehampton">www.southwestwater.co.uk/okehampton

nOkehampton Chamber of Trade is asking for business owners to attend its next meeting to discuss the proposed roadworks.

Non members can also attend the meeting.

A representative from South West Water will be on hand to answer questions of concern.

The meeting is on Thursday, May 20 at 7.30pm in the White Hart Hotel.