A route for a new 9km strategic water main across Romney Marsh has now been agreed after extensive research and consultation on environmental impacts.

It will run from the Denge Water Treatment Works near Lydd to St Mary’s Bay avoiding wherever possible sensitive environmental areas.

Work on the £5m project is due to begin in the early summer and the main will be in operation in 2014.

The new main will replace an older pipeline which has been assessed as having a high risk of bursts. Completion will ensure greater security of supply for the Romney Marsh area.

In 2012 construction of the main between St Mary’s Bay and New Romney will be completed and in 2013 between New Romney and the Denge Water Treatment Works.

Veolia Water Southeast Capital Delivery Manager Justin Southwell said detailed and rigorous planning had ensured that the selected route would minimise environmental impacts.

He said: “We have a great deal of experience in working in sensitive areas on Romney Marsh and we are confident that we now have a good route for the pipeline. We brought in independent environmental consultants to undertake research and advise on route planning and we have worked closely with Natural England.”

Most of the pipeline route runs across farmland with a small part of New Romney being the only urban area affected.

A playground in Station Road will be directly affected and will be closed while the pipeline is laid through it. The adjacent playing field will be able to remain open though works will affect the edge of the playing field area. Single lane working in Station Road and Church Lane in New Romney will be needed for brief periods.

The pipeline will cross Lydd Golf Course and several holes will be affected. Discussions are underway with the golf course management. A small part of Littlestone Golf Course too will be affected but this should have no impact on play with all holes remaining safely open.

The pipeline will also cross the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch Railway and an approach for this is being agreed well in advance with RHDR. There will be a need to restrict services on part of the line for a few days and this work will be undertaken in November to minimise inconvenience. An alternative bus service for schoolchildren and students who use the line at that time of year is being discussed.

The route passes close to the boundaries of Lydd Airport and discussions have been held with airport management. Airport operations will continue as usual during construction work.

The mains scheme is part of Veolia Water Southeast’s £34.5m capital investment programme for the five years to 2015. This programme also includes the linked upgrading of Denge Water Treatment Works which is already underway and scheduled for completion early in 2013.

Justin Southwell added: “We are undertaking a major programme to improve the security of supply on Romney Marsh while delivering the highest quality water at the tap.

“Earlier projects included the building of some 14kms of new mains between Cheriton and St Mary’s Bay. This now gives us the ability to bring in water from the Folkestone area should any problem occur in local sources on Romney Marsh such as intrusion by seawater.”

© Hawkinge Gazette and Channel Coast News 2012