Lindfield High Street road closure set to end next week, says South East Water

The Company states the installation of the new £1 million water main was essential to ensure current customers in the village and the wider Haywards Heath area continue to receive top quality water into the future.

Chris Love, delivery manager at South East Water, said: “We’re planning on lifting the road closure during the evening of Thursday April 17 and then from Tuesday April 22 temporary traffic lights will be installed close to the Park Lane/Ardingly Road junction until May 9, 2014.

“Installing this new 850 metre long pipeline has been extremely challenging, however our contractor has worked hard to get to a point which will enable us to safely re-open the road while we install the last sections of pipeline using the temporary traffic lights.”

Construction began on the January 20 with a road closure essential to ensure the safety of the public and motorists.

Chris continued: “The pipes we have been installing are extremely large, almost half a metre in diameter, and without the closure there would not have been enough space for our contractor to work whilst maintaining the safety of the public.”

Throughout the project all the independent boutiques, cafés and restaurants in Lindfield have been open as usual.

Chrissie White, Owner of The Leaping Hare Boutique, said: “We’re delighted the road will be open for the Easter Bank Holiday weekend. Although the work has not been taking place in the shopping area of the village we’ve been working hard with South East Water to keep customers shopping in Lindfield.

“We even have a special Spring Shopping Day on Saturday May 3 where there will be lots promotions taking place in the village’s shops and cafes so we urge everyone to come along.”

Chris continued: “I would like to apologise for the disruption this work has caused the local community but hope residents, motorists and the local community understand the long term benefits this scheme will deliver.”

The project is part of the company’s five year £390 million programme of investment to secure customers tap water supplies.

This work in Lindfield forms part of a £1.6 million upgrade of water mains in the Lindfield and Haywards Heath area between now and Spring 2015.

Further information on the work in Lindfield and the wider Haywards Heath programme can be found at: www.southeastwater.co.uk/lindfieldandhaywardsheath