A WATER pipe that has burst nine times since 2012 is set to be upgraded using £334,000 investment.

South East Water will lay a new 350m section of water pipeline along Station Road, in Hook, with work due to start on April 11, finishing at the end of October.

The existing mains in Station Road have reached the end of their working life, with bursts leading to flooding, interruptions to drinking water supplies for nearby properties and damage to the road.

Drop-in sessions for residents and businesses on the planned work will be held on Tuesday, February 9, when members of the project team will be on hand to answer questions in Elizabeth Hall, Raven Road.

Ben McKellar, South East Water project manager, said: “This is a complex project and we know it will take some time to lay the pipeline because there are so many existing utility services already running under the road.

“However, we will be working as quickly as possible to minimise inconvenience to local residents and businesses.”

During the scheme, the section of Station Road between the railway bridge and Griffin Way South will be closed, and temporary traffic lights will be used on the railway bridge to ensure the weight limit is not exceeded.

Access to properties and businesses will be maintained at all times and a diversion route will be clearly sign posted.

For updates on the scheme visit southeastwater.co.uk/hook.
It forms part of the company’s £424 million investment programme taking place between 2015 and 2020.