We’re planning a £400,000 project to replace 1.1 kilometres of water main along Golford Road, Benenden. This work forms part of our commitment to invest £489 million in improving our infrastructure between 2020 and 2025.
The new pipe will replace an ageing burst-prone main which has suffered 14 bursts in the last five years. This has resulted in low pressure or no water for residents and is unacceptable to us. By replacing this section of pipe, we can reduce the likelihood of future problems and keep top quality tap water flowing to our customers.
Work started on Monday 9 October and is taking place north of Hemsted Forest Equestrian Centre. The project is expected to take approximately 11 weeks to complete.
We will update this webpage as work progresses.
Diversion route and traffic management
For the safety of the public, motorists and our team, we will need to close Golford Road from its junction with Tenterden Road through to the junction with Goddards Green Road.
A diversion will be in place and signposted for the duration of the work. Access will be maintained for residents and businesses.
FAQs
We do all we can to minimise disruption to motorists and 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.
Due to the width of Golford Road, we do need to close the road for the duration. This is to ensure the safety of residents, motorists and our workforce.
Work will be phased within the closure to maintain access for residents and businesses but will be closed to through traffic.
Before work starts, all local bus companies are presented with the project plans.
It is up to the bus companies to understand what impact the work will have on their services and provide alternatives. We do not influence their decision and are unable to provide a solution for them.
As with all of our roadworks, we will always maintain access for emergency services.
As with bus companies, the emergency services are briefed well in advance of any roadworks and are adept at making their own arrangements to find alternative routes. This is common practice.
Access to properties and businesses will be maintained at all times, however there may be a short wait if we are working in front of your property and access to businesses may be via the diversion routes or from one end of the works.
The direction from which you access your property may change as the work progresses along Golford Road.
Bin collections and postal deliveries will still be able to access properties for the duration of our work, they will need to follow the diversion routes as signposted throughout. As with the bus companies, we advise of the works and it is up to these providers to ensure that their services can continue during our works.
As the work will require connections to the existing network, there will be a short interruption in supply. We will notify you well in advance when this is due to happen if you are impacted by a loss of supply.
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 here.
This page 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 Customer Services team on 0333 000 0002 or email us at customerservices@southeastwater.co.uk
To register for free text or email updates about work in your area, visit aqualerter.southeastwater.co.uk(opens in a new tab)
Project updates
Monday, 4 December 2023
14:44 PM
All customer services have been excavated ready to be connected to the new water main, which is due to be tested this week.
Monday, 27 November 2023
10:57 AM
We’ve installed a further 200m of new water main via directional drilling this week, with a further 100m scheduled to be drilled today (Monday 27 November). A section of new water main was also laid using the traditional open cut trench method, meaning that all once today’s 100m has been installed, all new water main will have been laid. Once all connections have been made to the existing network, the new pipeline will then be tested and when passed, we will start to connect customers supplies to the new main.
Monday, 20 November 2023
13:58 PM
We have completed our trial holes and have scheduled the next section of directional drilling for Thursday 23 November.
Tuesday, 14 November 2023
10:59 AM
We’ve now installed a total of 534 metres of new water main and completed the first connection to our existing network.
Monday, 6 November 2023
16:13 PM
We’ve completed the first section of drilling, installing 400m of new water main.
Monday, 23 October 2023
08:34 AM
We are continuing to prepare for the first section of drilling that will be undertaken this week.
Thursday, 19 October 2023
07:40 AM
We have excavated the launch and reception pits needed to allow us to install the new water main via the directional drilling technique. We will be digging trial holes further along the route to check the feasibility of continuing with this method, due to the presence of a gas main.
Monday, 9 October 2023
15:42 PM
We have started setting up our compound along Golford Road ready to begin this project.
Friday, 6 October 2023
08:04 AM
Project due to begin
Our £400,000 project to replace 1.1 kilometres of water main along Golford Road, Benenden, is due to start on Monday 9 October.
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