MAJOR water network improvements are in the pipeline for a village near Chester.
United Utilities will soon be giving Kelsall’s ageing water network a modern makeover as part of the company’s £2.9 billion water quality and environmental improvement programme.
The Cheshire-based company will be replacing approximately 11km of old cast-iron water pipes with modern plastic ones in the area to improve water quality, reinforce the overall reliability of the network and reduce the risk of leakage.
The work, which is due to start on Monday, November 30, has been co-ordinated in agreement with Cheshire West and Chester Council’s highways department.
Keith Saltmarsh, United Utilities’ project engineer, said: “Some of our old water pipes date back more than 100 years.
“They have done a great job all this time but they are now not up to modern standards and it is time to replace them.”
Work will start on Old Coach Road, between Chester Road and Duttons Lane, and Brooms Lane, between Old Coach Road and Duttons Lane, on November 30.
The roads will be closed to through traffic for three weeks so engineers can work safely, but there will be access to residents at all times.
“We will be working on these two roads up until Christmas and will be returning following the festive season to continue to deliver these essential improvements,” said Keith.
The scheme, which is due to be completed by the end of March 2010, will see engineers using the latest pipe-laying technique, known as slip-lining, in which the new plastic pipe is inserted into the old pipe in order to keep disruption to a minimum.
“Slip-lining is the equivalent of keyhole surgery for water mains,” added Keith.
“We only need to dig small access holes instead of open trenches and the new plastic pipes can be fed through the old ones.
“It’s quicker and causes less inconvenience.
“We will be communicating with our customers in the new year to advise them of any further road closures and we will remain in contact with them until our work is completed.
“Whilst we appreciate some temporary inconvenience will be caused, it is this type of work that our customers’ bills help to fund - and it will be of great benefit to our customers across Kelsall when it is finished.”