Pipe plans approved for crucial last phase
A scheme to complete the crucial last section of a £24 million pipeline from Bewl Water Reservoir to Ashford, Kent, has been given the go ahead by Ashford Borough Council.
South East Water has received permission to finish construction of the 35km long water main, which will supply treated water from Bewl Reservoir to homes and businesses along its route, as well as to new homes planned in Ashford as part of the town’s expansion.
The 500mm (20 inch) diameter main is being built in three phases, with the first phase between Bewl Water Reservoir and Cranbrook Reservoir already completed and phase two, which runs between Cranbrook and Biddenden, well underway.
Now approval has been granted, work on the third and final phase from Biddenden to Ashford will start later this month.
South East Water’s Head of Engineering John Beechey said: “Completion of the new main will enable the immediate transfer of an extra one million litres of water a day rising eventually to ten million litres a day, helping South East Water provide drinking water supplies to both our existing customers, as well as new homes planned in Ashford.
“Our plans for the final phase of this important pipeline have been approved by the planning councillors subject to certain environmental conditions.
“These include controls on dust, length of working hours, road sweeping, archaeology and ecological conditions such as the protection of endangered species like Great Crested Newts.“
The pipeline route has been designed to minimise inconvenience to both local residents while also protecting the wider environment. It is due for completion by 2010.
The scheme forms a major part of South East Water’s planned investment up to 2010 to help further protect long term water supplies, and is supported by both the Company’s regulators, Ofwat and the Environment Agency.