THE completion of essential work to replace fragile old water mains pipes in Saltney’s High Street is facing a major delay.

Dee Valley Water began installing the new mains pipes in January and it was hoped work would be completed after 17 weeks.

But the town council has received notification that the work could take another five weeks.

Saltney Town Council clerk Alan Thorniley told the Chronicle: “The reason for the delay is that other utility companies have installed their infrastructure in close proximity and in some parts in direct contact with the present water main. This has left insufficient access for the current work and any future work on the water main.

“The new main will have to be repositioned in the highway for some 300 metres. The additional work is expected to take approximately five weeks.”

The programme of work follows several pipe bursts in the area and a temporary one-way traffic system has been in place since early January.

Saltney councillor Veronica Gay said it was unfortunate that work will take longer than first thought but that residents had been understanding.

“The work needs to be done. It is unfortunate it has gone over but it’s necessary to prevent future flooding. Once this has been explained to people they have been very understanding,” she said.

Some people have raised concerns about the state of the road surface in Boundary Lane and Sandy Lane which is being used as a diversion and carrying increased traffic – including heavy wagons.

Cllr Gay added: “Unfortunately there has been a deterioration of the road surface and problems with pot holes. But the good news is that it will be re-surfaced, I expect when work on the High Street has been sorted out and completed.”

Steve Jones, head of Streetscene at Flintshire County Council, said: “Sandy Lane is included on Flintshire County Council’s resurfacing programme and the work will be completed in the coming months.”