Work to repair a collapsed sewer in Wilton Avenue is set to last another month

Wilton Avenue in The Polygon suffered the collapsed sewer in August, but the extent of damage was much worse than previously thought following an investigation by Southern Water.

Work to repair the broken sewer pipes uncovered a damaged Victorian brick culvert carrying the Rollesbrook River deep under the road. The culvert is in very poor condition and could ‘fail’ completely unless urgent repairs are carried out.

The repairs will see a new concrete pipe replacing the damaged part of the culvert, it is hoped that the work will be completed by the end of October.

Southampton City Council’s cabinet member for Environment and Transport, Jacqui Rayment said: “The problems discovered at Wilton Avenue are extensive and require urgent repairs“The council is working closely with partner agencies Southern Water and the Environment Agency to resolve the problems as swiftly as possible."

The road will remain closed at the junction of Milton Road and Wilton Avenue, and at the Harborough Road junction of Wilton Avenue.

A diversion route is in place via Hill Lane, Archers Road and Carlton Road, marked with black and yellow signs.