MOTORISTS and residents face months of disruption as a major route through the city has been shut off while water mains are upgraded.

The top of Hillside Road will be closed for around 15 weeks, while rolling closures will be in place in Avenue Road as part of the second phase of work in St Albans to install a new water main.

Works are expected to last until the middle of November and drivers are being diverted via Sandpit Lane, Lemsford Road, Hatfield Road and St Peter’s Street.

While advance warning was given to residents about the disruption, some of them have raised concerns about the noise and lack of access to their driveways.

One Avenue Road resident, who is due to move house while the work is being completed, said it was likely he would have to move all of his belongings by hand.

He commented: “We are stumped to how we are going to get the car out and how we are going to move. The quicker they get to it the better for everybody.”

Another resident reported that the work was going on seven days a week starting as early as 7.30am.

She said: “We are just going to have to put up with the noise while they do their job.”

The mains upgrade is being carried out on behalf of Affinity Water and is part of a two-phase project. Phase one at the junction of St Peter’s Street, Harpenden Road, Stonecross and Avenue Road has been completed and the traffic restrictions have been removed.

A spokeswoman for Affinity Water said: “We would like to apologise for the inconvenience caused while we are working in Avenue Road.

“We are installing a new water main which will enable us to continue serving the local community for many years to come.”

She added: “Residents in the surrounding streets have been notified of the work with details of the diversion route by letter and signage was put up in advance along the affected streets.

“We would like to thank residents and commuters for their patience while we carry out this work.”

Elsewhere, Ringway, on behalf of Herts County Council, started work on refurbishing traffic signals at the Sandridge Road/Beech Road (King William IV) junction on Monday.

The upgrade, which includes installing a staggered crossing facility on Beech Road, is expected to last for five weeks and will cost around £150,000. Road closures will be in operation during September between 8pm and 6am and some bus routes may be affected.

For a full list of road closures visit www.hertsdirect.org/roadworks