SOUTH East Water has confirmed that the project to lay 3,000 metres of new water main along the A339 as it cuts across the south-west end of the town will begin on Monday but that the order of work is to be reversed.

Due to begin this week from the junction with the B3349 Odiham Road, the first section of the work will now begin from the junction of the A339 with the B3006 Selborne Road and travel north.

The decision to work in this way follows close discussions with Alton Town Council and Hampshire Highways to minimise disruption for residents and, in particular, to ensure that work in The Butts area will be completed in time for Jane Austen Regency Week in June.

According to South East Water, from Monday work will begin with a lane closure along the Selborne Road. During the first couple of days contractors will carry out enabling works such as creating a site compound before work begins on the laying of the new pipe. The project team will then work their way backward, compared to the original programme of works, moving toward Butts Road, The Butts and Whitedown Lane.

The original plan was for the roadworks to finish by the end of July.