Wessex Water has completed a £2 million investment to renew a significant part of Poole’s sewer network and help to protect the town’s coastal environment.

Finishing touches, such as ground reinstatement, were being put to the seven-month Wessex Water project based in the area around Whitecliff Harbourside Park, which saw sewer network capacity increased to help meet growing local demands.

More than 200 metres of new rising main were installed within Wedgwood Drive, Sandbanks Road and Whitecliff Recreation Car Park, replacing an existing pipe that connects to a nearby sewage pumping station, that serves half of the Poole network, an equivalent of more than 80,000 people.

The project, carried out by Wessex Water’s sister company YTL Construction UK, got under way last September and included a short section of the new rising main travelling under the busy Sandbanks Road, which was closed between the end of October and start of December to allow the pipe installation to continue.

Pipe bridges, steps and an access ramp were also installed to ensure local residents could still get to and from the recreation ground while a temporary overland pipe was used as a bypass while the final connection was made.

YTL Construction UK project manager Mike Horton said:

“This was an important scheme to ensure sewer infrastructure in this area of Poole could continue to meet the demands of a growing population and we’re delighted to complete it on schedule.

“Our teams have worked incredibly hard to finish it, often coming up with innovative ways to ensure the impact on the local area was reduced as much as possible. The work will also help protect the environment by significantly increasing sewer capacity. ”