Ageing water mains to be replaced in Barnsbury, Islington

Residents are invited to find out more at a Thames Water drop-in session on Thursday 20 November, between 4:30pm and 7pm, at The Hemingford Arms, Hemingford Road, Barnsbury N1 1DF.

The work will involve replacing nearly seven miles (10.7km) of the 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 N1 postcode area, roughly bounded by Offord Road, Liverpool Road, the B515, Richmond Avenue and Caledonian Road (the A5203).

Kathryn Moore, Project Manager for Thames Water, said:

"Reducing leakage is our highest priority and is essential if we are to ensure London's growing population continues to receive the water it needs.

"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.

"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 Islington Borough 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."

Works are scheduled to begin by the end of November with completion due in late 2009.

More information is available from Thames Water's Customer Centre on 0845 9200 800, quoting reference number TNU4.