Preparatory works started for Wash Common pipe replacement

Digging begins in Essex Street on Monday to replace the century-old pipe

THAMES Water has started preparatory works for a major pipe replacement in Wash Common yesterday (Mon).

The water company is to carry out a £500,000 project to replace the pipe under Essex Street to protect homes from flooding.

The road will be dug up on Monday (14) once preparation works have been completed and the woeks are scheduled to last 10 weeks.

The cast-iron main was laid more than 100 years ago in Essex Street – the site of the First Battle of Newbury in 1643. 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 plastic piping is the next step to protect homes.

Two-way traffic lights will be in place for the duration of the work, for which there will be a two-week break over the Christmas period.

Thames Water was originally due to start the project on Tuesday, October 25 but the works were delayed as the company had yet to agree with West Berkshire Council where they could store their equipment.