Out of iron age

23/08/2005

Fifty kilometres of cast iron water main will be upgraded in a Northumberland  town, benefiting thousands of homes.

Northumbrian Water starts the £2.6 million 12-month programme of work in Blyth on 30 August 2005.

The work, which will be mostly in the Cowpen Road area of Blyth, will maintain and improve the quality of tap water to more than 9000 homes.  Leakage will also be reduced and water supplies will be safeguarded for future generations.

Customers affected by this work will receive a detailed leaflet this week and a letter inviting them to drop in at a customer information session on Friday 16 September at The Parish Church Hall of St Mary, Church Street, Blyth, between 2.00pm and 7.00pm.  Employees from Northumbrian Water will be able to answer any questions or concerns customers may have and explain the work further.

Dave Ingle, Northumbrian Water’s project manager for the scheme, said:  “It is inevitable that there will be some disruption while this work is carried out, but once a water main is renewed or relined it should have a life-span of up to 100 years.  Water pipes generally run in the highway for easy access to carry out maintenance and emergency work.  Customers should be reassured that we will do everything we can to keep inconvenience to a minimum.

“Some of the water mains in Blyth are up to 60 years old and can no longer be relied on.  This scheme is part of a five-year £125 million improvement programme which will see more than 2000 kilometres of water main upgraded in the water company’s supply area - from Berwick down to North Yorkshire and across to the Pennines.”

Customers should be aware that bogus callers operate in Northumbrian Water’s supply area.  It is very unlikely that anyone from the water company will require access into customers’ homes while this improvement work is carried out in Blyth.  Customers can ring the contact centre on 0845 717 1100 to check the identity of anyone claiming to be from Northumbrian Water and also to find out more about the company’s password scheme - anyone from the water company needing to gain access into a customers home will know their password.  If in doubt - keep them out!

For further information please contact Cara Hall on 0191 301 6720.