Further improvement flows

30/06/2005

Further improvement work is to be carried out to safeguard the water supply to thousands of people in the Gateshead area.

Northumbrian Water has a further 5km of water main to upgrade in Whickham.  This is part of a larger scheme costing £2.5 million which has already seen the upgrade of 45km, improving the supply to 9,000 homes.

The remaining improvement work will take up to ten weeks to complete, improving water quality and safeguarding water supplies for future generations.

This work will commence on Fellside Road and progress onto Front Street and Whickham Highway.  Work will also be carried out on Holme Avenue, Rectory Lane, School Lane, Orchard Road, Lambton Avenue and other minor roads.

Northumbrian Water will be consulting with Gateshead Council to carefully plan the necessary traffic management.  Some disruption is inevitable, although every effort will be made to keep this to a minimum.

Work on Front Street and Whickham Highway has been programmed to ensure the work takes place during the school holidays.

Due to Northumbrian Water’s forward planning, the water supply will be re-zoned minimising the amount of domestic and commercial customers’ water supply being turned off during the course of this improvement work.

Phil Nixon, Northumbrian Water’s Project Manager, said: “We appreciate the work will cause some short-term traffic disruption and thank customers for their patience.  The work being carried out is essential to maintain and improve water quality and service to our customers, who will reap the long-term benefits.”

Rob Hetherington, Head of Highways & Construction at Gateshead Council, said: “Northumbrian Water are undertaking major improvement work within the Borough.  This usually involves excavation in the public highway with inevitable short-term disruption to road users.

“Northumbrian Water, and their contractor Alfred McAlpine, have completed most of their mains relining and renewal programme in the Whickham area.  The remaining works should be complete by September.”

For further information or advice now or during the work, please contact our Customer Contact Centre on 0845 717 1100.

For further information please contact:
Joanne Dye, Communications Adviser, Northumbrian Water, on 0191 301 6733.
Andy Price, Streetworks team, Gateshead Council, on 0191 433 3093.