Basingstoke ObserverA project to install nearly 700 metres of pipe to boost the capacity of Basingstoke’s water network has completed on schedule.
South East Water installed a £500,000 new water main in Winchester Road, Basingstoke, to ensure customers’ water supply is not impacted by future community growth.
Jeremy Dufour, South East Water Project Manager, said: “Having started in January, I am really pleased at the speed in which our team has completed this vital project. This scheme was very much short-term pain for long-term gain so I would like to thank the local residents and motorists for their continued patience during the scheme.”
Temporary traffic lights were in place to keep the community safe – as well as a road closure at the junction of Heather Way and Lavender Road – but all traffic management has now been removed.
Jeremy added: “I know this road is a busy area and the traffic management will have caused some disruption but the community can now rest assured their water supply will not suffer as the population grows.”
The project formed part of South East Water’s £433 million investment into its water network
Elsewhere in the borough, a key road in Hook has been reopened after South East Water completed the latest phase of its vital water network upgrade in the area.
The company has installed more than 11 kilometres of pipe between Fleet and Odiham as part of an £11 million project to pump more water through the area.
Its workforce has now finished installing nearly three kilometres of pipe in Bagwell Lane, Hook, which has been closed since work started in July 2021.
Matthew Cooper, Project Manager, said: “We’re so sorry for any disruption our work in Bagwell Lane may have caused the local community.
We know this is a vital road and we only close roads as a last resort. However, a closure was essential in order to keep the community and travelling motorists safe.”
South East Water will need to return to Bagwell Lane in January 2023 to complete some final testing on the new pipe.
This means Bagwell Lane will be closed again for approximately three days.
