Key facts
Location: Amberstone to Windmill Hill
Work: Installing 6.9 kilometres of new water main
Starts: June 2026
Duration: Approx. 18 months
Investment: £6.2 million
We’re currently planning a project in East Sussex to connect our pumping station near Amberstone to an existing key water main in Windmill Hill.
This investment is part of a package of works in East Sussex. Together these projects will help improve the reliability and connectivity of the water network across the county, providing greater flexibility to move water around the network particularly at times of disruption.
We’ll provide further updates on this webpage and directly notify affected customers and stakeholders as more details are confirmed.
What are we doing at the moment?
We are pleased to share the latest progress update for Phase 1 of our ongoing project:
- Hailsham Road Compound: Works have started on our main compound located on Hailsham Road. Signage is in place to manage increased construction traffic joining the main road. Please exercise caution when driving through the area.
- HDD Drilling Operations: Drilling activities are underway in Herstmonceux, currently passing through the Herstmonceux Recreation Ground.
- Herstmonceux Recreation Ground Safety Notice: An area containing soft ground has been securely fenced off following drilling in the area causing land to break up. For your safety, please do not enter this area. We will share a timeline for the site's full restoration as soon as technical assessments are complete.
- Gardener Street Footpath: The Public Right of Way adjacent to the Gardener Street compound will reopen soon. Final safety adjustments are being made to ensure secure passage for pedestrians.
We appreciate the community’s support and understanding as we work to complete this work safely and efficiently.
Is this linked to possible developments in the area?
We need to lay this new pipeline as part of wider works across East Sussex to improve and upgrade our water supply network. This new pipeline will help to increase the connectivity of our infrastructure in the area, providing us with greater flexibility to move water around the network. This is particularly helpful during times of disruption.
So while we do monitor developments in the area and include population growth as part of our long term water resource management plan, this project is not linked to development but a need to provide a more interconnected and resilient network in the area.
FAQs
This new pipe will connect our pumping station near Amberstone with a key existing main in Windmill Hill.
Combined with upgrading the pumping station, this will provide us with greater flexibility to move water around our network and improve our resilience in the area.
We are in the early planning stages and currently conducting surveys to help assess route options. We’re currently working towards construction starting in the spring of 2026. The project is expected to take around 18 months.
Once we are further along in the planning of this project and have confirmed details of route and dates, we’ll be writing to local residents with an invitation to meet the project team at an informal information evening later this year.
The majority of work is likely to take place in private land. The new pipeline will be installed using a combination of horizontal directional drilling and traditional trenching techniques. Horizontal directional drilling involves excavating two pits and tunnelling the new pipe underground between these two points.
In addition, rather than working from one end of the scheme through to the other, we will have multiple teams working on different areas at the same time.
As we install the new main, there will be several short closures as we cross a road, and some longer closures as we work in the carriageway. At this stage, the route is not confirmed and as soon as we have confirmed details, we’ll publish information about any road closures, including their dates, durations and any diversion routes. We’ll be working closely with East Sussex County Council Highways on this.
While we know traffic management can be disruptive, the safety of both the public and our workforce is a priority. Road closures will be kept to the shortest duration possible to minimise impact to customers and motorists.
We have already been carrying out environmental surveys as part of the planning work. This helps us understand the presence and location of wildlife including great crested newts, bats and badgers, among other species. We also carry out tree surveys to ensure we won’t impact root networks and protected trees.
Ahead of works beginning we would clear any vegetation with supervision by an ecologist to ensure no protected species are harmed by the works under the terms of two protected species licences prescribed by Natural England for Great Crested Newts and Dormice.
Any hedgerows and trees that need to be removed will be replanted in the next available planting season following completion of the works.
There will be a short interruption to supply when we need to connect the new pipeline to the existing main. However, we will provide 48 hours notice prior to this happening, and whenever possible will avoid peak times of water usage.
Customers with additional needs be it a disability, mental health or financial concerns can sign up to our Priority Services Register to help us understand how we can help you. More information can be found at southeastwater.co.uk/priority.
This webpage will be updated as work progresses, but if you have any concerns during the work, the staff on site will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
If you would like to speak to us directly, or have any questions ahead of works beginning, please call our team on 0333 000 1100 or email us at customerservices@southeastwater.co.uk
Project updates
Wednesday, 17 June 2026:
We’ve now started work in private land on this project. Current activities include site setup and the installation of land drainage systems.
Wednesday, 10 June 2026:
We’re beginning to move into the area in preparation to start work on this project in the private land sections.
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