Water Mains Improvements

Old iron water mains are to be replaced with new, durable plastic pipes in the Shephall area.

Work to replace ageing water mains that are at risk of bursting is soon to begin in Kymswell Road followed by Hyde Green South, Stevenage on 1st November and could take 11 months to complete.

Three Valleys Water is investing £2million to upgrade the network of underground water mains which carry vital supplies of tap water each day to homes, businesses and schools in Shephall, Stevenage.

Most of the existing water mains were laid when the new town was built and although they have given many years of service they are reaching the end of their useful lives. The majority of these pipes are cast iron and some sections have corroded and begun to weaken, which has made them vulnerable to leaks and bursts. Between 1999 and 2004 the sections of pipes identified for replacement in this area burst 70 times and unless they are replaced, computer modelling has shown that there will be at least a further 36 bursts before 2010. By replacing targeted sections of the water mains network, Three Valleys Water hopes to the inconvenience caused by burst mains and ensure that they can continue to supply tap water to local people.
 
The work, which is being carried out on behalf of Three Valleys Water by their contractor, Enterprise plc, and starts in early November will affect parts of the following streets:

• Ashleigh, Baddely Close, Shephall Way (from the junction of Beech Drive to Hydean Way), Barnwell, Beech Drive, Breakspear (from Hydean Way to Wortham Way), Colts Corner, Cholwell Road, Elm Walk, Godfrey Close, Hayley Common,  Hyde Green South, Hydean Way cul de sac, Hyde Green East, Hyde Green North, Wigram Way,  Kymswell Road, Long Hyde, MacKenzie Square, Oxleys Road, Paddocks Close, Randalls Hill, Rudd Close, School Close, The Hyde shopping centre, The Paddocks, The Ridings, Unwin Place, Unwin Road, Warners Close, Wortham Way

Andy Smith, Managing Director of Three Valleys Water, said: “This water mains renewal scheme in Shephall is part of a much larger investment programme to maintain and renew our underground pipe network to provide a reliable water supply to our customers. Without this investment the mains would continue to deteriorate, causing bursts, leaks and disruption to the local community. We are working closely with Hertfordshire County Council Highways Authority to try to keep traffic disruption to a minimum.”

All residents affected by this scheme will be contacted by Three Valleys Water in advance of work in their street and throughout the scheme.  Vulnerable and elderly customers are also being encouraged to notify the company of their special needs by registering on the Safeguard scheme by applying online or contacting the call centre on 0845 782 3333. Residents and road users will be notified of any traffic management arrangements in due course.

Three Valleys Water would like to remind customers in the area to be aware of Bogus Callers claiming to be from the water company during this time. The company operates strict rules about employees wearing clearly recognisable uniforms and presenting identity cards when they call.

Further information is available on the Three Valleys Water website at www.3valleys.co.uk