SOUTH East Water has embarked on an ambitious five-year project to guarantee a secure water supply to the Farnham area for future generations.

With preparatory work out of the way, a new 7.5 kilometre pipeline from South East Water’s storage reservoir in Boxalls Lane near Badshot Lea to the reservoir near the A31 Hog’s Back via Tongham is now taking shape.

Once completed, the utilities company says the new 14-inch diameter underground water pipe will meet the area’s growing demand for water up to 2040.

According to South East Water, there is a future shortfall in the amount of water it will be able to supply to the Aldershot and Farnham areas unless it can increase the amount it stores as well as its capacity to move it around the network.

The upgrade, which forms part of South East Water’s five-year £424 million investment programme, started on Monday, July 27. and is expected to be completed by November 2016.

Intermittent road closures will be in place along Boxalls Lane, Lower Farnham Road, Tongham Road, Ash Green Lane and Pound Farm Lane over the next 18 months.

Diversion routes will be clearly signposted and a public right of way from Spoil Lane, Tongham to Ash Green Lane West, Ash Green, will also be closed.

South East Water will work closely with local residents to make sure access can be maintained and normal activities such as bin collections can continue.

Chris Love, South East Water delivery manager, said: “Work starts in a number of locations to make sure we get this essential project finished as soon as possible.

“I would like to thank everyone for being patient and bearing with us while we are working in the community. I know road closures are a pain but the longer term benefits of this pipeline will be felt for generations to come.”

To find out more visit the website southeastwater.co.uk/aldershot-farnham where diversion routes, information on changes to bus services and a full construction programme are available.