Full details of a £4 million project to replace ageing water mains in Wolverhampton, which is set to cause 18 months of road misery for motorists, were today unveiled.

More than 60 streets in Penn and Goldthorn Park will be affected by the project to replace 16 miles of water mains.

Lane closures will be put in place on the busy Penn Road and Goldthorn Hill, while Severn Trent water warned that some streets would be closed completely as they work steadily on one road at a time.

This is to ensure that no routes are affected for more than six weeks.

But residents who flocked to a public exhibition to get a glimpse of the proposals today spoke of their fears of 18 months of road misery.

Pensioner Brian Evans, of Westbourne Road, said: “We’re hoping it won’t cause too much disruption but when you see the schedule of work, there’s a lot to be done and it’s difficult to see how it can be achieved without causing some problems.

“It will be hard on the residents but it’s people who drive through the area at rush hour who are going to be really hit. But, then, this is obviously work that needs doing and it has to be done somehow.”

His wife, Pamela, 70, added: “The roads are already so busy around the Penn Road so who knows how bad this will make things?

“If it means securing the water supply, though, I suppose we will have to put up with it.”

Brian Addison, 80, of nearby Showell Lane, said he would have to drive through much of the disruption when visiting friends and heading into the city.

He said: “Surely these pipes can’t be in such a bad condition that replacing them is worth this disruption it will cause.”

Severn Trent’s David Kiernan said the existing cast iron pipes were no longer fit for purpose with leaks costing bill payers money and damaging the environment.

He added: “The pipes are beginning to show signs of wear and tear and are more prone to leaks.”

Work is expected to start next month.

By Colin Drury