Thames Water in Barkham
We want to make you aware that Thames Water will be installing a ‘trunk’ water pipe to serve the increasing population in the new developments of Arborfield Green and Finchwood Park, where the water pressure is very low in places. Thames Water have increased the pressure of the existing mains supply in recent years to try and ameliorate the situation and this might account for the major burst mains pipes at the south end of Bearwood Road just after Christmas, and the previous one a few metres along the road some 3-4 years ago, also over Christmas.
This project entails running a new large diameter water pipe along Bearwood Road from Highlands Avenue past the Lilacs and to Barkham Road. It will then turn right down the hill, past the Manor and the Bull, along Langley Common Road, finishing at Arborfield Studios.
This project has been in the pipeline for many years (if you’ll excuse the pun!) but is going to start on 9th February and is expected to take about 20 months to complete, with the Bearwood Road phase taking some six months. During this time the road will be closed (they call it a hard closure) and diversions in place. We understand that the closure will be in short sections working down the road and that access to homes will be maintained throughout using metal plates as bridges where necessary. Access might be in one direction only.
As we understand it, there will be minimal disturbance or alteration to the water mains pipes that serve us, but in due course the pressure is expected to be lowered which should reduce leaks, such as those mentioned above.
The contract has been awarded to the M Group, and we have been assured by Thames Water staff at a public meeting in the Village Hall on 9th January that there will be M Group staff on hand to deal with issues and questions. Residents in the locality can expect to receive mail drops anytime soon to tell you more about what is in store for us.
This is obviously going to be very disruptive for us all for an extended period of time, let’s hope the contractor does a good job and completes the project ahead of time.
You can find out more about the various phases of the road closure plan here
Kind Regards
BVRA
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