WESSEX Water has said the water quality on the Isle of Purbeck has been "boosted" after major work came to an end.

The water firm has reopened a key route to and from Swanage formerly closed while £150,000 worth of work was carried out.

As part of the work, the B3069 Coombe Hill leading into Langton Matravers was closed two months ago to secure the area’s water supply. 

The major investment, which got under way in early January, saw just under 300 metres of degrading pipe that was prone to bursts replaced. 

The latter part of the replacement, to help complete connections, was completed under three-way traffic lights in the village. 

Bournemouth Echo: Langton MatraversLangton Matravers (Image: Newsquest)

As well as working with the parish council, the company also installed large messaging boards at the B3039/A351 junctions at Corfe Castle and west of Swanage to warn road users about the work. 

Wessex Water also funded a replacement shuttle bus to provide a link through the closure between regular services and teamed up with St George’s C of E Primary School, providing high-visibility jackets to ensure its pupils could be escorted safely from buses to the school. 

Design engineer Daniel Owen-Rijnenberg said: “We’re pleased to say that the road was being fully reopened to through traffic on schedule on Friday afternoon, after what was a significant investment to replace an ageing main in the village to improve the quality of water supply. 

“This was a carefully-planned and complex project and we have to thank all customers and road users for their patience and co-operation before, during and after this essential work was carried out. 

“Clearly a project of this kind will cause some inconvenience, for which we apologise, but by working closely with the parish council and local customers, we were able to understand and, where possible, address issues connected to the closure to try and ensure this was kept to a minimum. 

“We would also like to thank St George’s C of E Primary School for their understanding during this work. 

“It was great to work with them to be able to provide a safe area for pupils to be dropped off and collected in the mornings and afternoons and provide high visibility jackets for them to be moved safely through the closure.’’