Yorkshire Water mains replacement is set to begin in Goldthorpe, Barnsley, as part of a £725,000 investment to improve drinking water reliability and reduce leakage across the local network.
The scheme will see approximately 1.2 kilometres of clean water mains replaced, targeting ageing infrastructure prone to bursts and service disruption.
The project forms part of Yorkshire Water’s wider £8.3 billion investment programme over the next five years, aimed at upgrading infrastructure and improving service resilience across the region.
Targeted infrastructure upgrades to reduce leakage
Work will begin on Barnburgh Lane from 27 April before progressing to Highfield Avenue, Windermere Avenue, Lockwood Road and Straight Lane.
The upgrades are designed to reduce water loss, prevent pipe bursts and ensure a more reliable supply for customers in the area.
According to Yorkshire Water, the scheme prioritises underperforming assets that will benefit most from replacement, helping to improve long-term network performance.
Shaun Chapman, Project Manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “This is part of Yorkshire Water’s £406 million investment to renew over 1,000km of clean water mains across the region by 2030.
“We are upgrading the clean water infrastructure, prioritising poor performing assets that will benefit from an upgrade first.”
Yorkshire Water mains replacement supports long-term resilience
The project has been coordinated with local highways teams to minimise disruption and accelerate delivery where possible.
Yorkshire Water is working with delivery partner Galliford Try to complete the installation efficiently while maintaining communication with residents about potential short-term disruption.
Chapman added: “In collaboration with the council highways team, we have brought this work forward to reduce incidences of bursts or loss of supply occurring in the area in the future.
“It will improve the quality and reliability of service that our customers expect. We’re in touch with local residents to let them know of any localised disruption and Galliford Try will be working as quickly as possible to keep disruption to a minimum.”
Why water mains replacement is critical for network performance
Across the UK, ageing water infrastructure remains a key challenge for utilities, contributing to leakage, supply interruptions and increased maintenance costs.
Replacing older mains with modern materials improves pressure management, reduces water loss and enhances overall system resilience.
These upgrades also support regulatory targets, including leakage reduction commitments set by Ofwat, while helping utilities adapt to population growth and climate pressures.
Programmes such as this are essential to maintaining reliable drinking water services and ensuring long-term sustainability of the network.
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