Final phase

21/10/2005

The end of the road is now in sight as the final phase of a major improvement scheme to safeguard water supplies to tens of thousands of homes gets underway.

Northumbrian Water has upgraded 55 kilometres of water main in the Easington North area and work to upgrade a further five kilometres began in the Ryhope area this week.

The five-kilometre section of a 24-inch water main which is to be upgraded runs along Stockton Road (A1018, B1285 and B1432) between Cherry Knowle Hospital and the Cold Hesledon Industrial Estate.  There will also be some minor work in the surrounding areas. 

The total improvement scheme cost £2.6 million pounds and will improve water quality and safeguard water supplies to 42,000 homes in Easington Colliery, Hawthorn Village, Murton, Dawdon, Seaham Harbour, Seaton, Ryhope, Leechmere, Grangetown, Hendon, Barnes, High Barns, Millfield, Pallion.  The remainder of the work will take around four months to complete.

Traffic management will be required during the course of the work – through careful planning everything will be done to keep inconvenience to a minimum.

Phil Nixon, project manager for the multi-million-pound scheme, said:  “Customers in the affected area will receive general information and advice as the work progresses.  It will be necessary to turn some customers’ water supply off for short periods of time and those affected will receive prior notification in writing.

“We ask customers to be aware of bogus callers.  It is very unlikely that we will need access into customers’ homes while we are carrying out this work.  If someone does call and you are not expecting them, check their identity card and ring our customer centre to confirm they are genuine.  Customers can also register a password with us for added peace of mind – if we need access into a home we will know the customer’s password.”

Anyone who has any queries or special requirements should ring the Northumbrian Water Customer Centre on 0845 717 1100. 

For further information contact Cara Hall, Northumbrian Water, on 0191 301 6720.