St Clements Hill in Truro is closed until 7pm on Friday, May 31 in order to continue with the diversion of major underground gas and water mains.

Cornwall Council says that initial excavation works at the site this week have revealed a large reinforced concrete chamber and a complex network of cables and utility pipes beneath the road.

"To limit the inconvenience to road users", Cornwall Council says it has agreed to close the road during school half term with completion and commissioning of the services due to be complete by the end of next month.

The works, which are taking place as part of the Trafalgar roundabout improvement scheme, are being carried out by CORMAC Solutions Ltd.

“A comprehensive survey of the underground utility network was carried out last summer,” said Ian Newby, senior project manager for CORMAC Solutions Ltd.

“However, as is often the case, the record of the network did not give a completely accurate picture.

“Unfortunately the reinforced concrete chamber is on the line of the proposed gas and water diversions and has to be removed. Combined with the requirement to protect other buried services in the vicinity the only safe way to carry out this task is by closing the road. Once the chamber has been removed a suitable route for the water and gas mains can be determined.

“To date we have done all we can to minimise disruption to traffic and have kept full road closures and day time lane closures to an absolute minimum. This ethos will continue for the full duration of the works and for this closure we will be working around the clock to ensure works are substantially completed by the end of the school half term break.

“We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused and would like to remind people that all businesses will remain open as usual.”

Signed diversions will be in place during the road closure with local access retained for nearby residents.

Wider works at Trafalgar roundabout over the next few weeks including the start of excavations for water storage tanks designed to help alleviate drainage issues in the area. As a result, a Leylandii tree on the roundabout which has been damaged over recent years, will be removed.

A new landscaping scheme is being designed.

For more information call 0300 1234 222.

For more information about the Trafalgar roundabout works visit www.cornwall.gov.uk/trafalgar