Thames Water is starting work this week on a major upgrade of New Malden’s 200 -year-old water mains.

The £5.5 million project will see new plastic pipes inserted inside existing ones, making them stronger and less prone to leaks and bursts. The water company said the work will reduce the risk of interruptions to water supplies for the 82,000 customers who are connected to the pipes and also reduce the need for emergency roadworks.

If work goes according to plan, the initial stage of the project is expected to be finished by the end of this year, however should ongoing investigations reveal other pipes also need upgrading, it may be extended into 2017.       

Thames Water project manager Ben Connis said: “

Although we appreciate our work will cause some disruption, feedback from our customers is they want to see us investing money and upgrading our ageing network of pipes to reduce leaks and bursts. They want reliable water supplies that are fit for the future so it’s vital we upgrade the old pipes, which amazingly pre-date the reign of Queen Victoria.”