Southern Water has confirmed that wet weather has delayed major works to repair a sewer pipe that runs between Ryde and Sandown.
The utility company says it has been tackling a burst rising main on Appley Road which is affecting the pipe that runs all the way to Sandown’s Wastewater Treatment Works. This pipe carries all of Ryde’s waste, and waste from surrounding areas.
Engineers have already mitigated the environmental impact of the burst from the sewer through digging a sump where tankers can collect the wastewater to take it to Sandown by road. It’s thought the actual repair will be taking place in a field adjacent to the main road, which currently has temporary traffic lights in place.
It was originally planned that works were to get underway today (Wednesday), but this has since been delayed until tomorrow (Thursday) at the earliest. Southern Water has said that the conditions need to be dry so that the repairs can be carried out safely.
The utility company has warned that further spells of rain could see works postponed until a later date.
When the repair gets underway, 20 tankers will be in use to shuttle Ryde’s waste from Appley to Sandown. A total of 28 holding tanks will also be utilised.
As a result of the delays, the closure of Appley Car Park – which was due to be closed until 11th December – will have to be extended.
A spokesperson for Southern Water has said:
We’re sorry for the disruption in the Appley area following a burst sewer.
“Our teams are at the site in Appley Road and have put a plan in place to protect the environment while we plan for a major repair to take place on December 4 in the evening and overnight.
“Due to the nature of the repair, it will cause further disruption and require us to use a large number of tankers which are currently located at Appley Car Park, following agreement with Isle of Wight Council.
“We have contacted key stakeholders in the area and will send letters to nearby residents and text messages with further information in the coming days.”
It’s not the first time that this crucial pipe has failed… in February this year engineers worked for over a month at West Lane, Brading to repair the same sewer pipe. In January 2021, the sewer dramatically collapsed just below the pumping station at Appley leading to a £7million, 15-month scheme to repair it.
