WATER works in Liverpool will see roads dug up in the city centre and result in traffic diversions from Monday.

United Utilities’ £35m scheme will result in a one- way system along Berry Street, between Leece Street and Duke Street, for six weeks.

The works will prevent drivers heading out of the city and a signed diversion route will be put in place until Sunday, April 5, when the works are expected to wrap up.

Commercial premises and businesses should be advised that access for deliveries will be maintain-ed and pedestrian access will be maintained at all times, the company has vowed.

John Maher, United Utilities project engineer, said: “It is of great importance to us to carry out our work with as minimal disruption as possible, which is why we have been working closely with Liverpool City Council to co-ordinate the traffic management plan.

“While we acknowledge that the restriction of traffic flow may lead to some short-term disruption, the long-term benefits our improvements will bring will make it more than worthwhile.”

United Utilities’ next step after finishing operations on Berry Street is an eight- week dig on Renshaw Street. It will be closed to incoming city-bound traffic, including buses, as part of the same works to replace mains between March and May.

However, Liverpool’s famous department store Lewis’s has complained that the “Big Dig” style opera-tion could cause it severe problems.

It said the disruption in 2006 when Renshaw Street was dug up contributed to the store’s previous issues.