Road closure change in Smarden as water mains replacement reaches halfway point

A £500,000 project to improve the water supply network in Smarden has reached the halfway point this week, with the work aiming to reduce the amount of water lost to leaks and bursts.

South East Water, the fresh drinking water provider for the area, started work on Monday 5 January in Biddenden Road to replace around one kilometre of water main. The company has been working along Biddenden Road towards the junction with Bethersden Road, with the project expected to take around 14 weeks to complete.

With around 520m of new pipeline now laid along Biddenden Road, the project will today, Friday 6 February, be starting to move into Bethersden Road, where work will then move south from the junction. Once the traffic management has been moved, Biddenden Road will reopen and Bethersden Road will be closed to through traffic, although access will be maintained for residents and businesses.

Jeremy Dufour, Project Manager for South East Water, said: “We know how disruptive road closures are for the communities we work in but the safety of the public and our team is paramount.

“We strongly urge all road users to follow the diversion signs. The road will be closed to through traffic, with limited space to turn around. This is particularly important for large vehicles as the road through the village is very narrow, and we know how much of a concern this is, having met with residents before Christmas.

“This project is vital to secure a reliable supply of water to the village of Smarden, and the existing main is ageing and prone to bursting. By replacing this section, we reduce the disruption caused by emergency repairs as well as reduce the amount of water lost to leaks and bursts.

“We met with residents and the parish council before Christmas to answer questions and explain more about the project. We’d like to thank them for sharing their concerns and appreciate the community’s patience while we work to complete this project as quickly as possible while minimising disruption.”

The work south of the village of Smarden follows projects in Glebe Close, and Smarden Bell Road during the latter part of last year.

To find out more about the project, see diversion routes and keep up to date with work, please visit southeastwater.co.uk/smarden

Customers wanting to find out more about current and future projects across South East Water’s supply regions can visit southeastwater.co.uk/engineering