Thames Water will start work to replace ageing Victorian water mains that are susceptible to leaks and bursts in the St George's Field area early next year.

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. 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.