Investigations are underway to learn more about the ground conditions on the Havant Thicket reservoir site and along the proposed route of the pipeline, which will be needed to fill it and draw water off when it’s needed.

The investigations will help inform our planning applications for the reservoir and pipeline, which are due to be submitted to Havant Borough Council and East Hampshire District Council in September.

Starting in July for up to six weeks, specialist contractors will be excavating small areas on the reservoir site, which is located between Staunton Country Park and Havant Thicket woodland, so we can learn more about the ground conditions.

The footpaths and public bridleway will remain open during this time with fences around our working areas to protect the contractors and the public. We’d ask everyone to take care in the vicinity of our works and in particular to keep an eye on children and animals. We’ll fully reinstate the ground when the work is completed.

<strong>Pipeline surveys</strong>

At the same time, we’ll be carrying out surveys along the proposed route of the pipeline, which runs from the reservoir site to Bedhampton, to help us confirm the location of existing underground pipes and cables.

The contractors GEOTEC are using hand-held or van-mounted radar equipment in the roads<em> </em>and we won’t need to enter any homes to complete our work. We may also need to lift manholes to help with our investigations and, to protect those passing the site, these will be surrounded by temporary barriers.

In August we’ll need to close some of the busier roads overnight so we can carry out our surveys safely as the radar van needs to drive at slow speeds to work effectively. This will include Bedhampton Road, Middle Park Way and Dunsbury Way.

We’ll be writing to customers directly impacted by these surveys. We’re sorry for any inconvenience this work may cause and we’d like to thank everyone for your patience.

We’ll update this page each week with details on where the contractors are working, road closures and temporary traffic lights.