VILLAGERS and commuters could soon see their lives disrupted by two years of road works due to begin at the end of the month.

Backwell and Flax Bourton will be the worst hit by the maintenance, which will be carried out by contractors employed by Bristol Water and will see a new water main inserted into the existing cast iron one which runs through Backwell, Flax Bourton, Long Ashton and Barrow Gurney.

The project, which is part of the company’s �260million investment programme to improve and maintain its water network, is due to be completed by March 31, 2015.

Beginning in Chelvey and Backwell, the project will be split into two phases and will see some road closures put in place, the first of which will see Chelvey Road shut for six weeks from the end of the month.

Phase one route will begin in Chelvey Road before moving to Backwell, along West Town Road, Church Lane to Uncombe Close. It will then rejoin the A370 at Farleigh Road and carry on through Flax Bourton, along Barrow Street before stopping on the outskirts of Barrow Gurney. This is expected to be completed by December 2013, when phase two will begin. This will also see work carried out along the A370 through Backwell and Flax Bourton before stopping on the outskirts of Long Ashton.

A letter from Bristol Water to residents in the affected areas explains: “Unfortunately it will not be possible to undertake work on both schemes at the same time as a third water main is not available to serve our customers if both mains are taken out of service. We need to ensure the first pipe is operating fully before being able to start on scheme two.”

Bristol Water plans for the work to be carried out between 8am-6pm, Mondays to Fridays, but there may be occasions when these hours will be extended.

Some homes and businesses could also see their water supply interrupted.

Those who may be affected by the works are invited to drop-in sessions on Monday to find out more about the scheme from the project team.

These will take place at Backwell Parish Hall in Station Road from 2-4pm and 6.30-8.30pm.