£6.5m for new water pipes for Derby

Severn Trent announced in January it would spend £6.5m on new water pipes to provide customers in Derby with a water supply they can rely on for generations to come.

The company is planning to upgrade a total of 45km of water pipes in and around the city between now and the middle of 2019.

John Springett, who is leading on the project for Severn Trent, said: “We know how important it is for customers to always be able to turn on the tap and have access to fresh water to make a cuppa or have a shower whenever they want to.

“People use water every day to do so many wonderful things and this investment will make sure it’s always there when they need it, now and for the future.”

Part of the work has seen engineers working to install new water pipes in the Allestree area in February. Before that happens Severn Trent is planning to meet with local people to share plans and listen to any views and concerns.

Springett said: “We know it’s really important to work closely with local residents whenever we carry out this kind of work so we can minimise disruption.

“This is essential work that’ll be of benefit to the people of Derby for many years to come, and that’s why we want to make sure everyone’s aware of our plans.”

The community drop-in session was sheduled to take place at St Nicholas Church in Lawn Avenue from 3pm to 6pm on Monday 5 February. Work was due to start on Portreath Drive on Monday 12 February and was expected to take seven weeks.

Springett added: “To make sure engineers from our contractor Amey can work safely we will need to have road closures in place while we work to install the new pipes in short sections.

“We’ll have a fully signposted diversion in place and the teams will work as quick as they can so that disruption to local traffic is kept to a minimum.

“We should be finished by the end of March and we hope everyone will understand how important it is to get this done.”

The scheme is part of a stated commitment from the utility to investing in infrastructure which will see the equivalent of £1,400 invested for every home and business it serves between 2015 and 2020.