Road closures as water supply upgrade work resumes

Utility said 180 metres of pipes have already been laid down in Paddock Wood

The second phase of a £900,000 project to upgrade the drinking water supply in a Kent town is due to start.

South East Water said some road closures are necessary to continue works to install more than 1 km of a new pipe in Paddock Wood.

The water firm said that 180 metres of pipes have already been laid. The first phase was carried out earlier this year.

Paddock Wood is an area with an expanding population after thousands of new homes were built over the last decade.

From 23 July, one of the main routes out of Paddock Wood will be closed, the company said.

It added: "For the safety of the public and our workforce, we will need to close Gedges Hill and Chantler’s Hill while we carry out this vital work."

The roads are scheduled to reopen on 4 September, when the school summer holidays will end.

Jeremy Dufour, project manager for South East Water, said: “This vital project will ensure we can continue to supply top quality drinking water and maintain pressure to existing customers as the community grows.

“We know road closures are disruptive and frustrating and they are a last resort.

"We’re aiming to complete the second and final phase of the project within the school summer holidays. "