Upgrading the water pipes in Monmouth
We’re investing £8 million in the Monmouth water network. 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 £8 million in Monmouth 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 14.6km, cleansing 10.3km and abandoning 3.3km of water pipes. This work will benefit over 5,600 homes and businesses in Monmouth, Redwern, New Mills, Whitebrook, Mitchel Troy, Trellech, Cwmcarvan and the surrounding areas.
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.
Monmouth town
From the middle of September 2023 until November 2024, we will be working in various locations through Monmouth town. During the first few months, we will have three teams working in different locations. These include Wyebridge Street, Dixton Road (approaching the A40) and Drybridge street (at the roundabout of Cinderhill Street).
Our work in Whitebrook, Trellech, Redwern, Mitchel Troy and Cwmcarvan will start at a later date, and we will let you know closer to the time when work in these areas will begin.
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
Monnow Street Public toilets towards the junction of & Monnow Street/ Nailers Lane
From the 8th of January, a team will be working outside Monnow Street Public toilets and heading towards the Robin Hood Pub. Multi-way traffic lights will be in place for this section of work which should be completed by the end of January.
Once we have completed our work here, we will begin laying the brand-new water pipe up Monnow Street, working towards the junction with Nailer’s Lane. This should be completed by the end of March. We will work in sections through the town centre, working as closely to the kerb edge as we can. During this time, we will be restricting parking through the town centre with designated bays in place for deliveries and disabled access. Public footpaths will be open for the duration of the work.
A one-way system will be put in place for motorists who will only be able to travel down from St John’s Street/Monnow Street towards the public toilets on Monnow Street. Clear signage will be in place directing motorists during this time.
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.
Almshouse Street/Glendower Street
From January until the middle of March, a second team will be working their way from the junction of Wyebridge Street/Almshouse Street to the junction of Glendower Street/Agincourt Square. Multi-way traffic lights will be in place and will move with us along the working route.
Due to the location of our work, parking will be restricted in this area. We have been working with the local authority and those who have a parking permit which will be affected will have received a separate letter regarding their arrangements during this time.
Dixton Road
From the first week of January, the team will be completing sections of work along Dixton Road, heading towards the A40 main road. We will be undertaking this work during the night for approximately two weeks. The team will be on site from 8pm and will work until 6am the following day. This has been agreed with the local authority to reduce the disruption caused to motorists during the day.
From the end of January, this team we will be moving to Monnow Keep and further information will be provided to those in that area closer to the time.
Future updates about our work
As we are finishing our work in the areas mentioned above, we will update you on our next phases of work. You can keep up to date with progress on our website, just visit dwrcymru.com/InYourArea.
New Mills and Whitebrook
At the end of November, we started our 10-month working programme in New Mills. The work here will be moving into Whitebrook in the new year, and we have written to those in these areas to make them aware of how this affects them.
From January, there will be a road closure through Whitebrook and access will only be available to residents and customers accessing local businesses and restaurants. You can find out more about this on our website at dwrcymru.com/InYourArea.
Mitchell Troy
Starting from the first week of January to the end of January, our contractors will be working between Chapel Farm and Cae-Jack Cottage, Mitchel Troy. They will be installing the brand-new water pipe with a road closure in place. A clear diversion route will be signposted and access for residents will be available.
The same team will then continue their work on Craig-Y-Dorth Road between Cae-Jack Cottage and The Lodge. We will continue to work under a road closure and work with residents to allow access. We anticipate that we will complete this work towards the end of February. Further updates will be provided when this section of work is completed.
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 – dwrcymru.com/InYourArea – and our social media channels updated with the latest information so you know what to expect.
In Your Area
Check out our In Your Area site for this project and sign up to email alerts.