A MULTI-MILLION pound project to refurbish Carlisle’s water mains that has been hit by numerous delays is set to start again next week.

Workers from United Utilities will return as efforts continue to reline the water pipe on the westbound side of Warwick Road.

Preliminary investigations started last Thursday (January 8), with engineers carrying out some pipe-tracing activities in the area by Montgomery Way in Botcherby.

The roadworks will start next Monday, January 20, and will bring a new temporary one-way system for traffic heading west into the city centre.

The westbound side of Warwick Road will be closed between Victoria Place and Lismore Place for a total of 16 weeks from January 20, with a diversion signposted for drivers.

For safety reasons, a spokesman from the water company confirmed that St Aidan’s Road and Broad Street will be closed at their junctions with Warwick Road while work takes place.

United Utilities’ programme manager Phil High told the News & Star: “We had to finish re-lining Carlisle’s other key water main on the other side of Warwick Road before we could start this stage of the project, otherwise we would not be able to keep supplies flowing into the city.

“We will be working hard to avoid any of the complications that caused delays last year, and we thank people for their patience.

“If anyone has any questions or concerns about the work they can come and speak to our team who will be holding drop-in sessions for the public and will be pleased to help.”

The drop-in sessions will be held at two supermarkets in the east and west of the city.

The Tesco superstore on Warwick Road will hold events this Thursday and Friday, January 16 and 17, between 10am and 3pm.

Elsewhere, the Sainsbury’s superstore on Church Street in Caldewgate will host two on January 22 and 23, also between the hours of 10am and 3pm.

The work forms part of an extensive £14 million scheme to upgrade 30km of water mains across Carlisle.

A spokesman from United Utilities added that the project aims to ensure reliable high-quality water supplies for in the area for decades to come.

Further information about the roadworks, including details about where the project has already completed work, is available online at www.unitedutilities.com/Carlisle.