The pressure is rising over plans to close the High Street to allow Essex and Suffolk Water to undertake major repair work with road campaigners predicting total chaos over the summer.

Save Brentwood Action Group (SBAG), which campaigned against the pedestrianisation of the High Street, has now hit out at the diversion route in place for the four to six week closure as it uses residential roads and fails to include William Hunter Way.

However, the council has insisted the diversion route is 'tried and tested' after being used for events such as the town centre cycle race and the annual Lighting Up Brentwood event and stressed that William Hunter Way will remain open.

Deputy Chief Executive, Dave Marchant, said the safety of pedestrians and the junctions along any diversion routes had been a priority during consultations with Essex and Suffolk Water. He added: "They have finely tuned arrangements in place and they will be speaking to and leafleting businesses and residents who will be effected. "

A company spokesman said the project was part of a major investment programme and the closure was essential to allow work to be undertaken on the two water mains running along either side of the High Street.

Work will commence on July 30 with the High Street closed between its junction with Ingrave Road and Kings Road. The closure order will not effect vehicles being used by the emergency services.

The alternative route for vehicles is via Ingrave Road, Queens Road and Kings Road or Ongar Road, North Road, Western Road and Weald Road. The order also lifts the one-way traffic rule in St Thomas Road and the prohibition of heavy commercial vehicles in Brentwood's South Western Zone.

Published Thursday July 8, 2004

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