Anglian Water is set to kick off installation of 3km of new water pipes along The Heath and Gorse Hill Lane in Wellingore, Lincolnshire, next week (18 May), as part of a £585,000 investment programme to reduce bursts and keep water flowing for decades to come. In order to carry out this important work safely, the water company will need to close several roads in Wellingore at various times throughout the work, starting with The Heath from 21 May.

The East of England is the driest part of the country, and also one of the fastest growing, with more than 700,000 new residents expected in the next 20 years. The water company already sends nearly a billion of litres of clean and healthy drinking water to its customers each and every day. New infrastructure like this is needed to make sure there’s enough water to go round for the future.If everything runs smoothly, the work to install the new pipework is be expected to be completed by August.

Megan Sperryn, Customer Experience Specialist for the project, said: “We’re building for better in our region, with a £348 million investment over the next five years to renew more than 1,100 kilometres of water pipes across the East of England. We’re focusing on the pipes that need it most to help reduce leaks and keep water supplies reliable for the future.

“To do this work safely, we’ll need to fully close some roads when we’re installing the pipe as the local roads are too narrow for us to work while still allowing traffic to go past our teams and the dig site. We’d encourage all residents and road users to visit our webpage to view the details of all our planned roadworks.

“Residents who live within the closure will still be able to access their home, but there may be short waits at times while our team makes it safe for cars to pass. We thank residents for their patience while we carry out this important upgrade.”

While Anglian Water completes this essential work, customers’ water and sewerage services shouldn’t be affected, and if the water company does need to switch off the water supply for a short time, advance warning will be given. Local residents can access full details about the roadworks plan and diversion routes by visiting anglianwater.co.uk/your-local-area/report-an-issue and searching for Wellingore.

This work follows the driest spring and summer since 1976, with the warmest summer on record for the UK. This meant the majority of Anglian Water’s water resources were at low levels heading into the 2025/26 winter. Fortunately, due to several wet months and careful management, the company has been able to capture and store more rainfall, and most sources are now back to normal levels. Going into the warmer and drier months of the year, Anglian Water teams are continuing to work around the clock to fix pipes, upgrade systems and secure more water for the future. Anglian Water is also encouraging customers to be water-wise ahead of the warmer months, to keep supplies readily available for the region.

This work is being completed by Anglian Water’s Integrated Maintenance, Repair and Developer Services (IMRDS), which tackles a wide range of challenges across Anglian Water’s network. From using smart meters to monitor water usage to replacing old pipes and connecting new homes and developments, the IMRDS Alliance supports growth across the region and protects water resources for future generations. You can find out more information here.