Final pipe laid in multi-million pound water scheme for Sevenoaks

A complex multi-million pound pipe laying scheme to future-proof Sevenoaks’ water supply has been completed.

South East Water has been working for the past year to install more than two kilometres of water main in Sevenoaks costing £2.7 million.

This scheme forms part of a wider £7.1 million investment in the town with the upgrade of its five million litre underground drinking water storage tank on Solefields Road also finished.

Pipe laying work started in local roads in the summer of 2020 with the second phase in Knole Park being carried out since April this year.

Work is now underway to restore the ancient parkland to its original condition.

Matthew Cooper, Project Manager for South East Water said: “A lot of planning went into this project before we put the first spade into the ground to make sure that there was minimal disruption to this historic site and the town.

“Now in place, this crucial new main will secure the water supply for Sevenoaks for years to come.

“Without the new main, the growing population of the town would have experience periods of low pressure or no water in as little as 10 years.

“Although the pipe has been laid, our work doesn’t stop there. We are now working in the park to restore our working areas back to their former glory.

“I’d like to thank all those who attended our consultation sessions before this project began - your input was very valuable to us and we were glad to have so many of you on board with our work.”

Both projects in Sevenoaks form part of South East Water’s £433 million investment programme between 2020 and 2025.