By Gordon Berry

Residents of Cupar are likely to face almost three months of major traffic disruption as a result of urgent work to be carried out by Scottish Water in one of the busiest streets in the town centre.

The timescale was revealed yesterday as the company urged residents to attend a special public meeting which will take place in the middle of next month to outline the operation and the necessary traffic restrictions.

The company is about to embark on a £250,000 investment aimed at strengthening the near 200-year-old Victorian sewer system under St Catherine Street, which is part of the main route through the town from the M90 to St Andrews.

Yesterday Andy McLaren, a project manager with Scottish Water solutions, said that the work, which will begin in early February, was scheduled to reduce its impact on businesses and customers in the area over the festive period.

He added, however, that after years of little or no investment—there have been previous sudden problems—key areas are now in urgent need of repair to prevent further collapse.

He said that the St Catherine Street sewer—which measures 5 ft 3 in by 2 ft 6 in and is almost 920 ft long—has served the town well.

The work will involve digging down to the sewer from the four existing manholes along its length and relining with concrete segments.

“As local residents will be aware, the sewer in St Catherine Street has collapsed in the past, instigating emergency repairs and unfortunately a lot of disruption,” Mr McLaren said.

“Keeping customers informed is essential and we urge residents to come along and meet us to see our programme of works.

“We understand concerns of businesses and so we have already been liaising with the local FSB representatives as well as ensuring local councillors and community councillors were notified.

“Keeping the impact of this vital work to a minimum is important, hence we have been working with Fife Council transportation services in order to finalise the details of the temporary road restrictions required to undertake the works safely,” he said.

The open day is to be held at the Castlehill Activity Centre on Wednesday January 18, with doors open from 3 pm until 7.30 pm.

Mr McLaren said that staff will be on hand to answer any questions residents may have, and further information can be obtained on Scottish Water’s Customer Helpline on 0845 601 8855.

The project will start on February 6 and will last for around twelve weeks.

Although no full road closures are expected, Mr McLaren said it will be necessary to restrict traffic movements to one direction along St Catherine Street (west to east) for the duration of the works, with local diversion route signs posted for westbound traffic.

He said that other temporary restrictions may be required in and around the town centre to help minimise traffic congestion during these major works.

Once the work is under way, information will be available via Scottish Water’s website www.scottishwater.co.uk.