Residents in Newport face disruption after a burst water main forced a busy road to close for three weeks. Cromwell Road in Lliswerry was initially closed from one side for three days on Monday, September 5, after residents reported a burst water main in the area.
However it has now been confirmed that the road will be fully shut for three weeks from September 12 in order to complete repairs. In a letter sent to schools in the area Newport City Council's streetworks team said the closure would "impact timings" of traffic and that public transport and school buses will have to be diverted.
The issue will likely impact pupils attending nearby schools which have just returned for the new term. Children who normally get the bus from Cromwell Road will now have to walk to Corporation Road and the council's streetworks team admitted it was "not an ideal situation" but that it was "limited with what we can do." Last year Cromwell Road was closed for three weeks after a hole appeared in the road causing traffic and parking chaos for residents.
Read more: Life in the suburb where holes keep opening up in the road
"We had expected the road to be open before schools started back this week but with the road likely being closed for an extended time and no school buses able to access Cromwell Road we will have to ask all pupils who usually catch the bus on Cromwell Road to walk to Corporation Road to catch the school transport," the letter from streetworks read.
"This may also impact timings as traffic around this area is affected. We will not know how badly until the transport starts back. The buses are likely to be directed down Nash Road and onto the SDR before travelling onto Corporation Road and to the school via George St Bridge. It is not an ideal situation for the first few weeks back but as it is an emergency closure we are limited with what we can do."
Newport Bus has confirmed a number of diversions due to the closure for the following services: SJ5 to St Joseph’s RC High School, 5, 9A, 9C, 42, 43 and 44. Most changes involve services diverting to Nash Road and Corporation Road but you can find the full list here.
One parent in the area, Cathy, said there had been little communication about what was happening with the road and that there had been a delay in addressing the issue. "The water leak was first noticed on August 14 and logged by local councillors and local people on the same day," she said. "We waited weeks for it to be fixed and the leak seemed to get progressively worse over this period. A family member reported it themselves on August 27 as nothing appeared to be happening. Initially [we were] told it would be a three-day closure and reopened in time for schools to go back this week. However we had an email from our son's high school stating that the road will now be closed for three weeks.
"There have been two times already where people have ignored the no entry signs and driven on the wrong side of the road, almost crashing into our car, to avoid having to go the long way around. Both of my children get school transport. My youngest attends an LRB placement and he has been late getting into school due to traffic build up.
"Likewise [on Monday] coming home he finished at 3.20pm and did not get home until 4.10pm. The journey would usually take around 20 minutes. I think people would be less frustrated if there appeared to progress with the work but this does not appear to be the case as nothing seems to be happening."
A Newport council spokesman said: "Cromwell Road will be closed from Monday, September 12, for three weeks. This is to allow Welsh Water to undertake emergency repairs to a burst water main.
"The road will be fully closed between Somerton Lane and the Somerton Road roundabout. Residents living on Cromwell Road, or on streets off Cromwell Road, will be able to gain access to their street from Corporation Road. A diversion is in place for traffic via Corporation Road, Wharf Road, and Chepstow Road.
"The council apologises in advance for any inconvenience caused by the road closure. We also thank residents for their patience and understanding while Welsh Water carry out this urgent work."
A Welsh Water spokesman said: "Following an emergency burst on our system on Cromwell Road in Newport we are working hard to repair the pipe. It is a complicated repair due to the high water pressure involved and the type of repair we need to carry out. We're working hard to complete the repair as safely and quickly as possible. Our priority is maintaining supplies while we do this essential work and wish to thank customers for bearing with us."
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