Anglian Water is to improve and upgrade water pipes in Marks Tey, Colchester, in an £800,000 investment scheme to help reduce the risk of bursts and water leaks, preventing disruption for local customers and conserving precious water resources.

More than one kilometre of water pipes on Godmans Lane in Marks Tey have reached the end of their useful life, resulting in frequent bursts which can cause low water pressure or interruptions to supply for local residents. Work will begin on 24 October and is expected to finish by March 2023.

Anglian Water will use innovative 'no dig' slip-lining technology to install new pipes underground, meaning there is no need to dig long open trenches. Engineers will work progressively in 100 metre sections. Once the new pipes are installed, they will be connected to the existing water network and to properties.

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In order to keep staff and the public safe during the work, the company will install traffic lights and close the footpath on Godmans Lane and Ashbury Drive. Access will be maintained for affected properties throughout the work, and bus companies will operate temporary bus stops to minimise disruption to their services.

Becky Housden, Customer Experience Coordinator for the project, said: "Colchester lies in the driest region in the UK and is particularly vulnerable to climate change, meaning this work to upgrade the water network is essential to secure a resilient water supply for local residents.

"This summer was the East of England’s driest since 1976, and in the first eight months of 2022, the region had just 74 per cent of its average rainfall. That's why it's really important we carry out this work to upgrade Marks Tey's water network now, to ensure we can keep taps flowing and toilets flushing for years to come."

To help make Colchester more resilient to the impacts of climate change and population growth, Anglian Water is already ensuring leaks are detected and fixed sooner through its transformative smart metering programme. So far, more than 80 per cent of homes in Colchester and the surrounding area have been upgraded to a smart meter as part of Anglian Water’s investment, which also gives customers more visibility of their usage, helping to reduce the cost of their water bills.

The water company is also investing £400 million into laying hundreds of kilometres of new, interconnecting pipes that will bring water from the wettest areas in the north of its region to the driest areas in the south and east, including Essex, by 2025.