THE latest phase of a project to improve gas and electricity services in Coleford and reduce flooding risks should be completed soon.

But the work has not been without its problems, workmen finding 17 different previously unknown cables and wires in one trench alone!

Gloucestershire Highways crews have now moved into Bowens Hill where Phase 1 of the Coleford Town Centre Flood Alleviation Scheme is scheduled to finish by the end of the month.

The project was planned to coincide with work carried out by gas and electricity companies and involved the phased closure of Newland Street/Market Place, Market Place/High Street and Bowens Hill.

Diversions were introduced to safeguard both the public and workforce and maintain bus services, though the work was suspended to allow public events to take place during the Easter holiday.

Gloucestershire County Council is coordinating the work along with Coleford Town Council, Forest of Dean District Council and the Coleford Area Partnership.

Area highways manager Jenny Wilks said: "We recognise that Coleford has had to endure perhaps more than its share of disruption of late, but the work will improve gas and electricity services and reduce the threat of flooding so the town will benefit in the long run.

"We knew, even before we began, that the utility companies also had a lot to do and we have worked closely with them to reduce disruption.

"With its various mine and mineral workings, Coleford has a rich, industrial history and when you consider the centre has changed little in the last 100 years, we knew we would come across complications we'd not anticipated – not to mention the disruption caused by the severe snow and ice that hit the whole of the county in January and February.

"We uncovered lots of stone culverts and services that weren't on any maps and in one trench we found seventeen services.

"Not only did our new pipes have to be threaded through them all, it meant we also had to re-think some of our original plans."

Following the completion of phase 1, phase 2 to improve drainage in St John's Street is scheduled to start in September/October this year.  

The work will involve minor changes to the traffic calming features – converting the flat top humps into speed cushions – and the introduction of some additional drainage pipes and larger gully pots.