Yorkshire Water has started work on an £18 million scheme to replace ageing underground water pipes in Leeds.

The scheme, which will take three years to complete, will involve abandoning more than 42,000 pipes which connect the company's mains to customers' private supply pipes. The first areas to be tackled will be Bramley, Armley and Potternewton.

The work will be carried out on Yorkshire Water's behalf by contractors Morrison Utility Services and Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions. Some of the pipes affected by the work will be situated beneath grass verges and pavements, which will be reinstated once the work is complete.

Richard Sears, Yorkshire Water’s manager of Community Engagement, commented:

“This represents a significant investment in the city of Leeds and will ensure that we continue to supply people's homes with top quality drinking water. In order to minimise disruption we are working closely with Leeds City Council's highways officers. We are also co-ordinating our activities with the council's ongoing programme of work to replace local street lights."

Mr Sears added that no work would be undertaken in Headingley until next year at the earliest as a number of major sporting events were due to take place at the cricket ground in 2010.