RE-LAYING OF WATER MAIN 2023 - 2024 Last update 10 April 2024
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Closure of Jack Straw's Lane required for re-laying of water main.
'Prohibition of Through Traffic Date of Order: 18/12/2023 comes into force: 02/01/2024'
later extended to 21 March 2024 due to change of method
because of problems with roots of some of the large trees
Oxfordshire County Council website
Actual closure from Monday, 8 Jan 2024
Completion was expected by 22 March 2024, see
Thames Water letter 16 Feb - explanation of change in method added 19 Feb 2024
Temporary traffic lights on Marston Road - see Thames Water letter 15 Feb. 2024
All work, including road sweeping, was completed by the end of March 2024.
During the last week the road was open again.
Main contractor Morrison Water Services.
Residents consulted so far (by 10 April 2024) feel that overall the work was very well managed, given the complexity of the undertaking, the narrow width of the road and the need to retain access for residents and delivery/service vehicles.
Closure of Jack Straw's Lane required for re-laying of water main.
'Prohibition of Through Traffic Date of Order: 18/12/2023 comes into force: 02/01/2024'
later extended to 21 March 2024 due to change of method
because of problems with roots of some of the large trees
Oxfordshire County Council website
Actual closure from Monday, 8 Jan 2024
Completion was expected by 22 March 2024, see
Thames Water letter 16 Feb - explanation of change in method added 19 Feb 2024
Temporary traffic lights on Marston Road - see Thames Water letter 15 Feb. 2024
All work, including road sweeping, was completed by the end of March 2024.
During the last week the road was open again.
Main contractor Morrison Water Services.
Residents consulted so far (by 10 April 2024) feel that overall the work was very well managed, given the complexity of the undertaking, the narrow width of the road and the need to retain access for residents and delivery/service vehicles.
This closure was essential. Photos on Gas Main page show what happened in August 2023 when the road remained open to all traffic for the main part of relaying the gas main.
The situation was already difficult for large vehicles involved in the gas main work, traffic to and from two building sites in the Lane, delivery vans and others needing access to houses. Drivers using the Lane as a short cut, some at an unreasonable speed, made it worse. At least two of the contractors' employees narrowly missed being run over.
The situation was already difficult for large vehicles involved in the gas main work, traffic to and from two building sites in the Lane, delivery vans and others needing access to houses. Drivers using the Lane as a short cut, some at an unreasonable speed, made it worse. At least two of the contractors' employees narrowly missed being run over.
All the main work was completed by the end of March 2024, including resurfacing - more photos here. A road-sweeping machine subsequently travelled up and down the Lane, leaving the roadway perfectly clean. Fresh soil was put down over grassy areas disturbed by the work and grass seed scattered. What's left to do is re-instatement of Ennis Prismo Imprint sections (see top of Road surface and repairs page) that had to be dug up to enable the work to be done.
Residents consulted so far (by 10 April 2024) feel that overall the work was very well managed, given the complexity of the undertaking and the narrow width of the road.
Residents consulted so far (by 10 April 2024) feel that overall the work was very well managed, given the complexity of the undertaking and the narrow width of the road.
8 March 2023 For photos and videos taken in February and early March, click here
Friday, 9 February
A new pipe was being laid in this middle section of the Lane. Second water turn-off (not affecting houses in Doris Field Close and houses below down to Marston Road) for a period between 9am to 3pm. After each shut-off the water is tested for purity before it's turned back on. Pipes are also rinsed through to prevent any soil or grit getting into domestic piping. The water was perfectly clear when it came back on. |
7 February 2024 Carney Suction Excavation vehicle now operating in the middle section of the Lane - photos. The gentleman looking into the trench is Martin Stone from Hi-Line tree surgeons, sub-contracted by Morrison Water Services to 'maintain a watching brief' to ensure no tree roots are damaged. |
Martin explained that while a digger removes soil from beneath a pipe before roots have been located, thereby risking damage to them, the suction excavator carefully removes soil from above, without damaging roots. Once roots are exposed, a pipe can be re-laid above or below them, as required. Photo taken after suction excavation - roots undamaged |
Friday, 26 January 2024 Some work was being held up because Thames Water are having difficulties in getting a signature to a 'permission for access' form from the owner of one rented property in the lower section of the Lane, where work has to be done within the front garden.
As of 3 Feb 2024, all owners had been traced.
As of 3 Feb 2024, all owners had been traced.
20 January 2024 The power cut experienced by JSL residents was due to an electric cable being severed during excavation, despite the great care taken to avoid such accidents. The cable was encased in concrete and usually there is a warning sign for those carrying out excavation but in this case there wasn't.
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Carney Suction Excavation 16 January 2024 - photos of the suction excavation HERE
9 January 2024 - video of the vehicle tipping its load HERE
On 16 January the suction excavation vehicle was at work again. It's capable of sucking up not just earth but very large stones (as shown in photos - link above). This method avoids damage to tree roots. While a digger removes soil from beneath a pipe before roots have been located, thereby risking damage to them, the suction excavator carefully removes soil and stones from above, without damaging roots. Once roots are exposed, a pipe can be re-laid above or below them, as required. Very little mechanical excavation is needed. The vehicle can be moved with no driver in the cab. It's directed by a control box on the belt of an operator standing near it - a much easier and safer way of manoeuvring it very slowly in a tight space. Those in charge of the operation took great pains to clear away the small amount of soil that fell onto the roadway
15 January 2024: The pavements and roadway are surprisingly clean - cleaner than when no excavation is taking place. This is because a Carney Suction Excavation vehicle is being used to remove soil and stones from trenches and take it to holding areas. Three other subcontractors for Morrison Water Services were working in the Lane on the 15th: Buckhurst JCB Hire, HDD / DMC Plant Hire and Versatile Utilities - photos HERE
9 January 2024 - video of the vehicle tipping its load HERE
On 16 January the suction excavation vehicle was at work again. It's capable of sucking up not just earth but very large stones (as shown in photos - link above). This method avoids damage to tree roots. While a digger removes soil from beneath a pipe before roots have been located, thereby risking damage to them, the suction excavator carefully removes soil and stones from above, without damaging roots. Once roots are exposed, a pipe can be re-laid above or below them, as required. Very little mechanical excavation is needed. The vehicle can be moved with no driver in the cab. It's directed by a control box on the belt of an operator standing near it - a much easier and safer way of manoeuvring it very slowly in a tight space. Those in charge of the operation took great pains to clear away the small amount of soil that fell onto the roadway
15 January 2024: The pavements and roadway are surprisingly clean - cleaner than when no excavation is taking place. This is because a Carney Suction Excavation vehicle is being used to remove soil and stones from trenches and take it to holding areas. Three other subcontractors for Morrison Water Services were working in the Lane on the 15th: Buckhurst JCB Hire, HDD / DMC Plant Hire and Versatile Utilities - photos HERE
8 January 2024 Signs indicating road closure were in place
Advance warning signs were put up in the week beginning Monday, 25 December 2023
19 December 2023
The Site Supervisor and a Customer Liaison Officer from Morrison Water Services,
contracted to carry out the work on behalf of Thames Water, were in Jack Straw's Lane yesterday. They explained that the letter from Thames Water, dated 14 December 2023, previously posted to JSL residents, was the WRONG one. It related to work in another area. Some, if not all, residents received it on 18 December. The Customer Liaison Officer emailed the correct version to put on this website: Replacement for Thames Water letter 14 Dec 2023. Thames Water posted the replacement to JSL residents - delivered on 23 December.
The Site Supervisor and a Customer Liaison Officer from Morrison Water Services,
contracted to carry out the work on behalf of Thames Water, were in Jack Straw's Lane yesterday. They explained that the letter from Thames Water, dated 14 December 2023, previously posted to JSL residents, was the WRONG one. It related to work in another area. Some, if not all, residents received it on 18 December. The Customer Liaison Officer emailed the correct version to put on this website: Replacement for Thames Water letter 14 Dec 2023. Thames Water posted the replacement to JSL residents - delivered on 23 December.
12 and 13 Dec 2023
On the 13th, the Site Manager, from the principal contractor for the work, Morrison Water Services, was here with a team to continue the preliminary work of digging, and filling in, test holes. Road closure signs were not due to be in place during this stage. Photos here - click on captions to see full text. |