Proposed water main replacement work that will close a major route into Saffron Walden has been moved back after it was feared it would disrupt exams at County High School.
The Sparrows End Hill closure, which was due to start on May 18 for nine days, will now take place from Tuesday, May 31 - the school’s half-term week.
A spokesman for Essex County Council said: “The road closure by Affinity Water would have affected students taking exams at the nearby school, so Affinity Water has now agreed to move the roadworks back to the week beginning 31 May, which is the school’s half-term week.”
The spokesman added that the school raised concerns about the closure with Essex Highways who then agreed with Affinity Water to put the works back.
The road will be closed from its junction with London Road to its junction with Beeches Close - a diversion as long as eight miles for some.
The council has named the official alternative route as via Newport Road, High Street, Bridge Road, Windmill Road, Springwell Road, B184, Newmarket Road, London Road and vice versa.
Residents have already voiced their concerns about the impact the diversion will have on bridges in the area, particularly buses and lorries travelling over the Adam Bridge at Audley End.
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