Water works on schedule in Haywards Heath

Since 2 June, contractors working for South East Water have been upgrading the old water main in the town after it burst six times within five years leaving local businesses and motorists disrupted while repairs were carried out.

Chris Love, delivery manager at South East Water, said: “It is never easy installing a new pipeline like this in a town centre as there are lots of other utility pipes and cables that we need to weave the new pipeline around which can cause us problems.

“Fortunately we have been able to overcome the issues which have arisen over the past few weeks and remain on target to complete work by 30 September.

“More than half of the 414 metres of old pipeline has been successfully upgraded and we are hopeful that we can install the final 170 metres as smoothly as the first.”

This new £600,000 pipeline forms part of the company’s five year programme in which £390 million is being invested to ensure that reliable, clean, safe water is delivered to all customers.

Chris continued: “We know installing new water mains can be disruptive to the local community, but we believe all our customers should receive top quality drinking water 24 hours a day. Upgrading old failing pipelines like this is an essential part of ensuring we can maintain that commitment.

“While we install the final sections of water main all the shops and businesses in Haywards Heath are open as usual.”

A one-way system remains in place for those motorists wishing to travel eastbound along South Road until the work completes.

Further information, as well as a blog written by the project manager, can be found at: www.southeastwater.co.uk/lindfieldandhaywardsheath