THE second stage in improving Malvern's sewerage system is set to begin.

Hanley Road, in Malvern Wells, will be closed for two weeks from Tuesday, May 13, while the work is carried out.

Worcester Road, running through Malvern Link shopping centre, will be next in line. Work here will take place from the end of June until August, but Severn Trent says closure of the road is not anticipated.

Spokesman Larry Barnes said: "Unfortunately, due to the nature of the work, there's likely to be some disruption. However, we have worked closely with Worcestershire County Council to ensure all residents are kept fully up to date with the work and any road closures are kept to an absolute minimum.

"In this area, the sewers are around 100 years old and are coming to the end of their life, which is why we need to carry out this improvement work. The sewers, some of which are brick-built, are either being relined or totally replaced. This will give people in Malvern a sewerage system equipped to cope with the demands of modern living well into the 21st Century."

The first phase of the £1.5 million project, which started in January, involved laying 2.2 kilometres of pipe and the closure of Church Street and other roads around central Malvern. Somers Park Road and Newtown Road were also affected.