Essex Street works delayed

Thames Water say the work to replace a century-old pipe is now due to start on Monday, November 7

WORK to replace a century-old pipe underneath an historical street in Wash Common has been delayed.

Thames Water was originally due to start work on Tuesday (October 25) on a £500,000 project to replace the pipe under Essex Street to protect homes from flooding.

However, the water company is now not due to start work until the week commencing Monday, November 7, owing to the fact that Thames Water had to agree a new site compound - a place to store equipment - with West Berkshire Council.

Thames Water spokeswoman, Becky Johnson, said this was explained to people who attended the recent drop-in event.

The existing cast-iron main was laid more than 100 years ago in Essex Street - the site of the First Battle of Newbury in 1643.

However, it has burst 19 times since 1995.

Several schemes have been attempted to try and prevent flooding, but none have been successful so far and replacing 300 metres of the 12-inch diameter pipe with new and robust plastic piping is the next step to protect homes.

Two-way traffic lights will be in place for the duration of the work, which is expected to take about 10 weeks to complete.

It is understood, however, that there will be a two-week break over the Christmas period.