A £320,000 investment to upgrade ageing water mains in Yeovil is set to begin this spring, with Wessex Water planning a phased project to improve supply reliability and water quality in the north of the town.
The 13-week programme will replace deteriorating sections of the water network that have become prone to bursts, helping to reduce service disruptions for customers while strengthening the resilience of the local supply system.
Work will begin on Tuesday 7 April 2026 and continue until early July, with engineering teams operating in phases across Larkhill Road, Thorne Lane, Wessex Road and Greenwood Road.
Replacing ageing mains to prevent bursts
The project focuses on replacing sections of ageing pipework that can lead to leaks and bursts. By upgrading these assets, Wessex Water aims to improve water quality and provide a more reliable supply for homes and businesses across the area.
The work forms part of Wessex Water’s wider regional investment programme, with the utility spending around £12 million each year maintaining and improving a network that spans more than 12,000 kilometres.
Phased road closures planned during construction
To enable the pipe replacement work to be carried out safely, a series of temporary road closures and diversions will be implemented throughout the project.
Larkhill Road will initially close to through traffic at its junction with Thorne Lane, with a diversion via Thorne Lane, the A37 (Ilchester Road) and Preston Road. Work will then move to Thorne Lane, followed by further phases on Larkhill Road, Wessex Road and Greenwood Road.
Greenwood Road will also host a site compound during part of the works, with temporary carriageway restrictions in place before a full closure later in the programme.
Map showing phased road closures and diversion routes for the North Yeovil water supply improvement works.
Supporting long-term water system resilience
A Wessex Water spokesperson said the project will help reduce disruption caused by bursts while strengthening the long-term resilience of the water supply network.
“This important project will replace a degrading main which can be prone to bursts, causing disruption for our local customers, and it will ensure improved water quality and a more reliable supply for years to come.
“Closing roads is always our last resort and we’ve worked closely with Somerset Council to devise a programme that keeps disruption to a minimum as much as possible.”
The work forms part of broader investment plans by Wessex Water to ensure the network can meet increasing demand linked to population growth and climate pressures. The company has proposed around £5 billion of investment as part of its 2025–2030 business plan.
More news on infrastructure upgrades and water network resilience can be found in the H2O Global News Water Management section.
