11/01/2008

Work to begin this weekend will improve the quality of tap water by day and night.

Northumbrian Water is to invest a further £250,000 to upgrade two kilometres of water main on High Street West, Fawcett Street, Middle Street, Borough Road, Burdon Road and Holmeside.

The work, which will begin on Sunday, January 13 2008 and take up to six weeks to complete, will also include upgrading sections of trunk water main which are large pipes which transfer water around the region.

To maintain the flow of traffic during the day, the first three-week phase of this essential work will begin this Sunday and be carried out during the night from 7.00pm to 6.30am on High Street West, Middle Street and a section of Fawcett Street.  This work will be done from Sunday through to and including Thursday nights each week.

While the night-shift work is carried out Hight Street West, Middle Street and the northern end of Fawcett Street will be subject to road closures, approved by Sunderland City Council.

Kevin Fleming, Northumbrian Water’s Project Manager, said:  “Through careful planning with Sunderland City Council we will ensure everything is done to keep inconvenience to a minimum while this improvement work is carried out and thank residents and drivers for their patience.

“During the last three weeks of this phase of work we will be working on Fawcett Street, Borough Road, Holmeside and Burdon Road during the day.  Temporary traffic lights will be in place on Borough Road, Burdon Road and Holmeside.”

The water company has already invested £6.1 million to upgrade 93 kilometres of water main in Sunderland, including the City Centre, Hendon, Hillview, Ashbrooke, Deptford, Millfield and parts of Grangetown, improving tap water quality to 70,000 residents.

By this Summer a total 104 kilometres of water pipe in Sunderland will be upgraded.  The improvement scheme, which began in April 2005, will ensure tap water quality is safeguarded for the future generations.

If customers, especially those with special needs, have any queries or concerns they should ring the Northumbrian Water Customer Centre on 0845 717 1100.

Bogus callers are known to operate in Northumbrian Water’s supply area.  It is unlikely that anyone from the water company will need access into a customer’s property while this work is carried out.  If customers are in any doubt about the validity of a caller claiming to be from Northumbrian Water or the ‘water board’ they should ring the Northumbrian Water Customer Centre.

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