Essex & Suffolk Water is getting ready to start work on the latest phase of water network enhancements that will protect a busy Essex road interchange and reduce the chances of future roadworks.

Part of the Northumbrian Water Group, the water company has already carried out two pieces of work that reduce the chances of burst water mains closing the roads around the Sadlers Farm roundabout at Benfleet.

This has involved taking one pipe out of service where it crosses London Road at the Tarpots junction, and installing a new pipe inside an existing water main for an almost 1km stretch from the roundabout to Tarpots.

Now, the water company is preparing to install a new pipe within the footpath on the south side of London Road, allowing it to remove from use an existing main that lies beneath the road, meaning it can no longer burst and cause disruption to traffic.

The work will begin on April 8 for 14 weeks, with crews working from 7am to 9pm each day, to further reduce the length of the work.

Daren Still, Project Manager at Essex & Suffolk Water, said:

“This additional piece of work will allow us to go even further in protecting this busy road network from the impacts that can be felt from water main bursts. We saw a number of bursts cause traffic problems in 2022 and have been taking action, because we know the effects such things have on motorists and the frustrations it can cause.

“We have already significantly reduced the chances of bursts happening, which is great news for those who use these roads, and while the required lane closure for this additional work may cause some short-term impact, it removes any potential for this pipe to burst and cause bigger problems.”

Essex & Suffolk Water provides water services to two separate supply areas, in the East of England with water services, trading as Essex & Suffolk Water. The Essex area has a population of 1.5 million and our Suffolk area serves a population of 0.3 million customers.