Anglian Water’s @one Alliance is due to begin work later this month in Ravensden to replace 10km of water pipes to ensure that supplies are safe and reliable for decades to come.

The work is due to begin on 17 June and is expected to be completed by February 2025. The team will be using a technique called directional drilling which will enable them to insert pipes underground without having to dig up large sections of roads and pavements. This will cause less disruption for local residents and reduces the company’s carbon footprint.

Anglian Water sends nearly a billion of litres of clean and healthy drinking water to their customers each and every day and infrastructure like this needs maintenance and investment after a period of time to ensure taps can keep running over the next few decades.

Around 10km of pipes between Ravensden and Keysoe have reached the end of their useful life, which can lead to  bursts, low pressures and interruptions to supplies. The @one Alliance will have two teams working on the project at either end of the route in order to get this work completed as quickly and safely as possible.

Once the new pipes are installed, they will need to be connected to the existing water network. In order to do this, supplies may be shut off for a short period and residents will be notified ahead of time about this.

Samantha Bignall, Customer Experience Manager for the project, said: “We operate in the driest region of the country, but the East of England is also one of the fastest growing areas, and we need to ensure there’s enough water for everyone while also protecting the environment.

“As part of our Water Resources Management Plan, we’re committed to ensuring that everyone in the region has a resilient supply of the highest-quality drinking water. This project will ensure that we can keep taps running and toilets flushing for the future for residents in Keysoe and the surrounding area.

She added: “We understand how our work may impact day to day life, which is why we have reached out to the local community and Parish Councils by conducting customer open days to enable them to ask questions about the work.

During the works, a handful of road closures and traffic management will be in place for the duration of the works to enable the safety of pedestrians and workers.

Local businesses and farmers have been alerted prior to the works starting and bespoke “businesses open as usual” to help minimise disruption and help customers whilst diversions are in place.

The road closures will be manned with heras fencing blocking each end of the works, with access be available for residents, businesses and emergency services during the night.

 Further information and regular updates are available here.