A £1.9 million scheme to replace approximately 10.5km of water mains in Draycott in the Clay, to improve the reliability and resilience of the water network, has started today.

The project will see water mains across Draycott in the Clay, Six Roads End and Marchington Cliff replaced with durable, flexible plastic pipes that will improve the reliability of the area’s drinking water supply, reduce leakage and reduce supply interruptions.

This is part of the company’s biggest mains rehabilitation project to date. Over the next five years, 250km of pipelines will be replaced across the company’s two supply regions (South Staffs and Cambridge), three times more than what was replaced between 2020 and 2025.

Robert Boswell, Capital Delivery Director, said: "This scheme represents significant investment into the water network in Staffordshire and will help to improve our service to customers in the area for generations. 

"We have split the work into phases, minimising the impact on traffic, residents and businesses. 

"We will work as efficiently as possible to keep this to a minimum while we make these improvements that will be beneficial for everyone in the future.”

The scheme is being delivered by contract partner, OnSite, and will see the first phase of work take place on Greaves Lane, Hollybush Road, Newborough Road and Wood Lane from 12 January to 29 March.

During this time, Greaves Road and Wood Lane will be closed with a signed diversion route via Knightsfield Road, B5017 and A515, whilst Hollybush Road and Newborough Road will be closed with a signed diversion route via B5234 and A515.

Work will then move to Forest Road and Thorneys Lane, with further road closures from March to July. 

Since July 2025, 15km of pipeline has been replaced across the supply region, with another 22.5km to be replaced by the end of March.

A further 50km will be replaced in the second year of the investment period across multiple schemes. Planning is underway for the final three years of the current investment period, between 2027 and 2030.

Over the next five years, we have committed to reducing leakage in the region by 20%.

The mains rehabilitation project is part of our £926 million investment to upgrade water services across its two supply regions.

For more information on our schemes, see planned work.