Key facts
Location: Hildenborough, Leigh and Speldhurst areas
Work: Replacing approx. 7.5 kilometres of new water main
Starts: 19 October 2026
Duration: Approx. 18 months
Investment: £4.8 million
We’re replacing a total of approximately 7.5 kilometres of water main across a number of locations in the Hildenborough, Leigh and Speldhurst areas of west Kent. This will help to reduce the number of leaks and bursts we have across our network and ensure we continue to supply top quality drinking water to the local community.
When will work start, and how long will it take?
We’ll be starting construction on Monday 19 October, in the Speldhurst area. Our teams will work weekdays and some Saturday mornings. We may also work on some Sundays.
We expect the entire project to take approximately 18 months, but each element of work will be less than this duration. We’ll do our best to get each section of work done as quickly as possible.
Will there be roadworks?
For the safety of the public and our team, work will be carried out under a mix of road closures and temporary traffic lights. We’ll be starting this project in the Hildenborough and Speldhurst areas on the following roads:
- 19 October 2026: Wallers, Speldhurst
From the junction with Speldhurst Hill into the cul-de-sac
Our teams on site will work with residents to manage access while we replace around 70 metres of pipeline. We’re expecting this section to take around seven weeks, and will aim to complete this as quickly as possible.
- 19 October 2026: Lower Street, Hildenborough
From the junction with Rings Hill to the junction with Philpots Lane
We’ll be laying around 1.6 kilometres of new main along the length of Lower Street, with work expected to take around five months. The road will be closed to through traffic during this time, but access will be maintained for residents and businesses. A diversion route will be signposted for the duration and is available to view on our website.
- 19 October 2026: Rings Hill, Hildenborough
There will be temporary traffic lights on Rings Hill, just south of the railway station car park entrance, for approximately three weeks. This is to allow us to cross the carriageway to make a connection to the existing network.
In 2027, work will also take place in:
- Coopers Lane, Poundsbridge
- Hildenborough Road, Leigh and Stocks Green Road, Hildenborough
- Coppings Road, Leigh and Philpots Lane, Hildenborough.
We’re currently working with the local highways authority to agree dates for these sections of work and will share this as soon as confirmed.
For each closure, a diversion route will be in place and signposted for the duration of the works. The route will also be available to view on this webpage.
Frequently Asked Questions
We do all we can to minimise disruption to the community when laying new water mains and always look to install pipes in locations which will cause the least disruption, such as grass verges and when in a road, as close to the verge as possible.
During all works on this project, residents and businesses will still be able to access their property, but we will need closures or temporary traffic lights as follows:
- Monday 19 October 2026: Wallers, Speldhurst
Our teams on site will work with residents to manage access while we replace around 70 metres of pipeline. We’re expecting this section to take around seven weeks, and will aim to complete this as quickly as possible.
- Monday 19 October 2026: Lower Street, Hildenborough
From the junction with Rings Hill to the junction with Philpots Lane
Road closure along the length of Lower Street, with work expected to take around five months. The road will be closed to through traffic during this time, but access will be maintained for residents and businesses. A diversion route will be signposted for the duration and is available to view on our website.
- Monday 19 October 2026: Rings Hill, Hildenborough
Two-way temporary traffic lights for approximately three weeks
In 2027, work will also take place in:
- Coopers Lane, Poundsbridge
- Hildenborough Road, Leigh and Stocks Green Road, Hildenborough
- Coppings Road, Leigh and Philpots Lane, Hildenborough.
We’re currently working with the local highways authority to agree dates for these sections of work and will share this as soon as confirmed.
For any closures, diversions will be in place and signposted for the duration. Routes will also be available via this dedicated project webpage.
All of these services will still be able to access properties for the duration of our work. Ahead of work starting, we advise these services of our projects and the impact on the road network. Our on-site team will work with providers.
As the work will require connections to the existing network, there will be a short interruption in supply. We will notify any customers who will be impacted by a short interruption at least 48 hours in advance.
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 dedicated scheme 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 direct, please call our advisors on 0333 000 0002 or email us at customerservices@southeastwater.co.uk
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