Upgrading the water pipes from Llyswen to Clifford
We’re investing £20 million in the water network between Llyswen to Clifford. This will help continue to provide our customers in the area with a safe, reliable supply of clean drinking water for decades to come.
Why are we doing this?
Some of our pipes that provide customers with their morning shower and cups of tea are over 100 years old. Over time natural deposits can build up inside the pipes and slow the flow of the water. While these deposits are not harmful, every now and then we need to clear the pipes to keep the water running freely.
We’re investing £20 million to help to ensure security of supply to our customers and to alleviate issues with loss of supply or low water pressure currently experienced by some customers in the area.
What does this work involve?
With some parts of the network nearing the end of its operational life, our work will see us replacing 21km and cleansing around 3km of water pipes in-between Llyswen, and Clifford. Not only will it help improve the drinking water quality for these communities, but it will also help to ensure security of supply and to alleviate issues with the water network in the future.
We’ll be using a combination of traditional and innovative methods so that we can get the work done as quickly as possible whilst trying our best to minimise disruption wherever possible.
Most customers will not be affected by the work and will probably not even notice the work being done, but we will write to any customers that may be affected with all the information they will need.
Our contractors
We’ll be working with Morrison Water Services and their supply chain to help us get the work done. They’ll be working Monday to Friday between 7:30am and 5:30pm, but sometimes they may need to work outside of these hours and during the weekends to get the work done quickly.
Where will our teams be working between January- March 2024
From the first week of January, our team will be on site setting up their working area along Belmont Road. They will then start laying the new water pipe near the junction of Carlsagate/Belmont Road and will continue their way down Belmont Road, heading towards Newport Street.
The team will be working in sections along this route with a rolling road closure in place during this time. There will be a clear diversion route in place with appropriate signs located around Hay on Wye for those travelling into the town. The team will work along this route, stopping where they have laid up as far as and then moving onto Newport Street at the end of January.
Please be assured that all businesses will be open as usual, and we will continue to work closely with the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses to ensure the least amount of disruption as possible.
We need to carry out some work on Newport Street, between The Globe and the junction of Nantglasdwr Lane/Newport Street. This was due to start towards the end of January, however, due to unforeseen issues we are currently in discussions as a Project team to finalise minor details. We will be in touch with those impacted and update our website with more information closer to the work commencing.
An essential part of the project was completed in the Llyswen area up until the end of October. At present, we anticipate that work will start back up in Spring 2024. I will write to those in the Llyswen village closer to that time of work.
From the first week of January, a team will be starting work in the highway outside Buckton House, Llanigon, and working their way up as far as Willow Croft, Llanigon. Whilst the team are laying the water pipe in the road, a road closure will be in place between these locations. Access for residents will be available however, a diversion route will be in place for any traffic wishing to travel through this route.
We will be on this section of work until the end of March. As soon as the pipe has been laid, we will start working in the field opposite Willow Croft and more information will be provided closer to this time of work.
During the first week of January, another team will be working through the public right of way leading up towards the rear of 1 and 2 Bron Y Mynydd which is in the field behind Brecon Beacon Edges.
A lane closure will be in place, however, access for residents will be available. Please note there will be no through traffic during this time and a diversion route will be in place.
The same team will continue working along the A438 as well as private fields up until the end of March. You may notice traffic management in the area which will be in place when the team encroach the carriageway.
We will have another team working near Gwernyfyd Substation from the beginning of January. A road closure will be in place for approximately two weeks and a diversion route will be in place, but access for residents will be available. Once this work is completed, the team will then move into a nearby field where they will continue to lay the water pipe.
You may notice us in the fields around the Three Cocks area, heading from Gweryfyd to Llanigon. We will continue to lay the brand-new water pipe in these areas with little customer impact at these locations. This work will be ongoing and if we are to cause any disruption to the wide public, further communications will be sent.
Your water supply during the work
Throughout most of the work there should be no interruption to your water supply. However, there may be times where your water appears a bit darker than usual. This is quite normal when we are doing work like this and will clear if you run the kitchen cold tap.
If there are times where we need to turn off your water for a short period, we will contact you in advance via text message. To receive these messages, please make sure we have an up-to-date mobile or landline telephone number for your household.
You can check this and update your contact details by contacting us on Live Chat (via the Need Help button) on our website or by calling our 24-hour contact number on 0800 052 0130.
Traffic management plan
There will be times when we do need to work in the road, and we’ll be using a combination of two-way and four-way lights to keep traffic moving. There may also be times when we will be working directly outside properties and will need to ask some people not to park where the work takes place. If this is the case, we’ll be sure to let you know in plenty of time. Please be assured that we’ll get the work in the roads done as quickly as we can.
As our work progresses, we will keep the In Your Area section of our website and our social media channels updated with the latest information so you know what to expect.