Victorian era water mains to be replaced in St George's Field, W1 and W2
Works to replace ageing Victorian water mains that are susceptible to leaks and bursts are due to commence in the St George's Field area of London early next year.
Businesses and residents are invited to find out more at a Thames Water drop-in session on Monday 17 November between 4pm and 7pm, at St Johns Church, Hyde Park, Hyde Park Crescent, London W2 2QD.
The work will involve replacing more than 8.6 miles (14 kilometres) of original, cast iron mains that are up to 150 years old, with new plastic pipes that are more durable and flexible.
The work will be undertaken in the W1 and W2 postcode areas, roughly bounded by Sussex Gardens, Edgware Road and Bayswater Road. Works are scheduled to commence in January 2009 with completion due in April 2010.
Neil Franks, Project Manager for Thames Water, said:
"We are committed to reducing leakage and we can only achieve this by systematically replacing all of London's leakiest, cast iron pipes that date back as far as the Victorian era. Due to the scale of this work, it won't happen overnight, but the benefits of the project are already evident with leakage now at its lowest ever rate.
"This is particularly important as London's water resources are being put under increasing pressure from the effects of climate change, population growth and rising demand for water.
"We are committed to replacing more than 1,000 miles of water mains by 2010.
"We appreciate that work of this nature does bring inevitable disruption, but this huge investment will bring benefits to the area for years to come, as we should not have to carry out repairs here in the future.
"We are working closely with Westminster City Council to reduce the impact on traffic and thereby minimise disruption. The latest construction techniques will be used where possible, reducing the need to dig long trenches."
For more information please visit our Victorian mains replacement section.
