Second phase of water pipe replacement gets under way

Overall, the work will involve more than 100kms of underground cast iron water pipes – some of which are more than 100 years old – replaced with modern plastic.

The project began in April in Hunslet and the latest stage starts in Armley this week – when more than 6kms of the ageing water pipes will replaced before September.

Some disruption is expected locally.

Pipe replacement work will also take place in Beeston, Headingley, Burmantofts, Richmond Hill, Osmondthorpe, Wortley, Potternewton and Gipton during the 12-month project.

Yorkshire Water says that their priorities are the smallest and oldest mains in Leeds as these are the ones that typically burst most frequently.

The programme should significantly reduce the number of bursts, the company says.

In Armley alone, 73 bursts were reported in the last five years. In Beeston, 66 were recorded.

Laura Harrison of Yorkshire Water’s community engagement team, said: “This project highlights our commitment to reducing bursts and leakage in Leeds where we know we have some of the oldest pipes in the region, and improving the reliability of water supplies to our customers in the area.

“Of course, we recognise that any work on such a major level is always likely to cause some disruption to road users and local residents, and we want to reassure them that we’ll be doing everything possible to minimise any inconvenience to them and carry out the work as swiftly as possible.”

The 12-month programme in Leeds is part of the company’s continuing £39m expenditure to improve the resilience of its 32,000km water supply network.

More robust plastic pipes cope better with extremes of temperature and burst less frequently, the firm says.

A statement of the company’s approach has been posted online – at www.yorkshirewater.com/leakage – and the firm has also adopted the latest in social media advances, by posting 140-character update messages on Twitter – at @yorkshirewater.